In a typical home fire, smoke, heat and toxic gases build up rapidly. When the smoke detector sounds get out of the building immediately before your escape route is blocked.To survive a fire: install and maintain smoke detectors and practice an escape plan.
Smoke Detectors
- Install smoke detectors on every level and inside each sleeping area.
- Test them monthly.
- Replace the battery twice a year.
- Never disable your detector.
This list is a general guide for individuals, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has updated the state requirments. CLICK HERE
Home Escape Plan
- Practice your home escape plan with the whole family twice a year.
- Plan 2 ways out of each room. The easy way out is probably the door and the second way out might be a window.
- If you plan for a child or a senior to exit a window, make sure they can open it easily.
- If you can't get out, close your door and go to the window and signal for help.
- Teach children never to hide under beds or in closets.
- If you must go through smoke, crawl low. The coolest, cleanest air will be about 18 inches off the ground.
- Have a meeting place outside where everyone will meet.
- Be able to tell the fire department if everyone is out safely.
- Stay out; don't go back into a burning building for anything.
- Telephone the fire department from a neighbor's house
A reminder to all residents of Walpole: You must have your house number displayed on your home so that is it clearly visible from the street.
More information is available at our: Residential Fire Prevention page. |