|
|
P.O. Box 98
24310 Main Street
Elbert, CO 80106 |
Phone: (303)
648-3000
Fax: (303) 648-3650 |
Since 10.10.04 |
|
|
Planning Emergency Escape from Manufactured Homes
Every year nearly 4,000 Americans die in home fires and
more than 25,000 are injured. Children and the elderly are
especially at risk in home fires because they are less
able to escape when fire strikes. You can improve the
chances that your family will survive a home fire by
making sure that they can escape quickly if necessary.
Smoke
Alarms are Life Savers
The primary fire safety strategy for any home is to
warn the occupants early. The best way to get the earliest
warning of danger is by installing enough smoke alarms.
Homes should have a smoke alarm near the bedrooms, but not
so close to the kitchen that you have problems with alarms
from cooking. It's a good idea to have a smoke alarm in
each bedroom, especially if you sleep with the door
closed.
Planning Your Escape
The other part of the fire safety plan is for everyone
to get out quickly. When you are awakened in the middle of
the night to a fire, your thinking may be confused, so it
is important that you practice your escape plan ahead of
time. That way, your whole family will know what to do.
Manufactured homes have more ways to escape than most
other homes. There are always two doors, and every bedroom
has an emergency escape window. Make sure that everyone
knows how to open the emergency windows so no time is
wasted when fire strikes. These windows are labeled with
operating instructions. Everyone in the family, as well as
frequent visitors and babysitters, should practice the
escape plan, including opening the escape windows.
Can You Beat the Clock?
Most people do not realize how quickly fires can grow.
A home fire can become a killer in as little as 3 minutes.
Can your family get out this fast? Consider that it may
take one minute for the smoke alarm to sound and for you
to recognize the danger. If you have young children or you
are elderly and move more slowly, you may need another
minute to get ready. This leaves only 1 minute for you all
to get to an exit, open it, and get out. By practicing
your escape, you can make every second count.
Steps to a Safe Escape
- Have at least two working smoke alarms, test them
monthly.
- Plan two ways out of every room.
- Practice your escape plan twice yearly.
- Practice crawling low under smoke.
- Have a pre-arranged meeting place outside your home.
- Call the fire department from a neighbor's home.
- Once outside, stay out.
|