The most important tip for children surviving fire is planned and practiced fire drills.

Operation E.D.I.T.H – Exit Drills In The Home

· Draw an outline of your home.

· Now add the rooms and label them. Show important details: stairs, hallways, roofs that can be used as fire escapes.

· Choose a family meeting place and show it on the map.

· Check each room for the best way to escape.

· Test windows and doors.

· Be sure that everyone has at least two ways out.

· Escape ladders may be necessary.

· Any security devices should open easily.

· Always sleep with bedroom doors closed.

· Find a way for everyone to sound a family fire alarm. Yelling, pounding walls, whistles, etc...

· In a fire it is seconds, not minutes, that count.

· Roll out of bed but don’t stand straight up because one breath of smoke or heated gases may be enough to kill you. And don’t drop straight to the floor because some deadly gasses are heavier than air and drift down to the floor.

· Feel all doors before opening them, there may be fire on the other side. Never open a hot door! Ever!

· Once outside, go immediately to the family meeting place and stay there! Never re-enter a burning structure for any reason.

· Call the fire department from a neighbor's house. Tell the dispatcher if everyone is out or not.

 · Begin with everyone in his or her bed.

· Sound the alarm. Press the smoke detector test button. Yell FIRE! Or use some other signal that your family members will recognize.

· Everyone should roll out of bed and follow their primary exit path while keeping their heads at door knob level.

For more info visit www.detech.com and request our free "home safety booklet" in the upper right corner of the screen.