Fire
Exit Drills Save Lives
Have you ever heard of E.D.I.T.H.? She's not someone you'd see in the local supermarket
and she's not a super hero, but if you bring her into your home, she could save you and
your family's lives!
E.D.I.T.H. stands for Exit Drill In The Home, and if every family had one and practiced it
regularly, many deaths caused by fire could be prevented.
If you haven't already designed a step-by-step plan for your emergency fire escape, sit
down with your family today and make one. Diagrams showing emergency escape routes would
be a helpful visual aid for all family members.
Plan at least two escape routes, in the event fire blocks one of them. If the escape route
is from a second floor, be sure there's a safe way to the ground.
One of the most important parts of your plan is to designate a place outdoors where your
family is to meet. That way you'll be sure everyone has exited your home safely.
After checking the plan on paper, go over the entire escape route with your family. Have
everyone start in their own bedroom with the doors closed. Someone should shout, ring a
bell, or push the smoke detector's test button to start the drill.
Everyone should then crawl under the "smoke" and meet outside at the prearranged
location.
For the plan to be most effective, your home must have operating smoke detectors. They
should be placed on every level of your house and outside each sleeping area. At the
beginning and ending of Daylight Saving's Time, you should check to make sure the smoke
detector's batteries are working.
Sit down with your family today and make your escape plans and practice them! An exit
drill in the home may save your life or the life of someone you love!
You can download and print a copy of the Home Fire Escape Plan and also see other
important safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association. Click here to visit the NFPA website.
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Spencer Fire
Department
