Before

1. Keep smoke alarms in working order.
2. Maintain fire extinguishers in the kitchen and garage.
3. Create a family escape plan with two exits from every room. Consider escape ladders for the second level. Assign a partner to young children, the elderly, or the disabled.
4. Clear vegetation to create an open space around the house.
5. Make an evacuation plan in case of wildfire. Know the evacuation routes out of your town.
6. Make a video of valuables for insurance purposes. Store the video and important documents in a separate location, such as a safe deposit box.

During

1. Get out fast. Always keep an escape path ahead of you.
2. Do not hide in a closet or under a bed.
3. Cover your mouth with a cloth and crawl.
4. Feel doors with the back of your hand to see if they’re hot before opening. Test doorknobs before grasping.
5. Take a deep breath before opening doors. Turn your head to one side.
6. Close doors behind you to prevent drafts.
7. Go to the family meeting place. The second person there should notify the fire dept.
8. When trapped:
   • Stuff wet cloth around doors.
   • Open or break windows at the top to let smoke out.
   • Open or break windows at the bottom to breathe.
9. When a person is on fire:
   • Stop, drop, and roll.
   • Wrap up in a blanket.
   • Treat for shock.
10. Electrical fire:
    • Shut off electricity.
    • Use a fire extinguisher—not water!
11. Grease fire:
    • Do not use water!
    • Do not use flour!
    • Use a fire extinguisher, baking soda, salt, or sand.

After

1. Check for injuries and administer first aid.
2. Don’t re-enter the building until officials give permission.

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