Because of our home floor plans and modern construction materials, our homes today burn hotter and faster than ever. In a fire, every single second counts! From the time your smoke alarm sounds, this could leave you and your family less than two minutes to safely escape from a home fire. Your ability to get out during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning. It is more important than ever to make sure you have working smoke alarms and to take the time to plan and practice home fire drills. 

Smoke alarms are your early detection of danger. They should be in every bedroom, outside of any areas where people sleep, and on every level of the home, They should not be placed in a kitchen or in bathrooms. Test your alarms every month and change batteries once a year to ensure they are still working, and be aware of their expiration dates. Make sure the alarms you purchase are listed with a certified testing laboratory.

When you create your home fire escape plan, it should include two unobstructed exits, two ways out of every room and a stable, stationary, safe meeting place in an outside location where firefighters will find you when they arrive. Think about the needs and abilities of everyone in the home. Are there any mobility challenges? Can everyone hear the smoke alarms? If you have children, do you know if they will wake up to the sound of a smoke alarm? Who will need assistance getting out? Do you have pets? These are all important considerations.

A well-practiced fire escape plan can mean the difference between safety and a tragedy. Make your home escape plan today and practice your first home fire drill. Use the resources below to help you as you plan, or contact us at 757-890-3600 for questions or assistance with home escape planning, smoke alarms, or home safety checks. We are happy to assist you.