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Don't wait for smoke and fire to surprise you. Plan your home fire escape now. If you live in an apartment, ask the management to schedule drills. Practice during Fire Prevention Week and once or twice more during the year. If you move, make a new plan right away!
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Sit down with your family today, and plan step by step your plans for an escape in the event of fire.
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Diagram two routes to the outside from all rooms, but especially the bedrooms. Locate the enclosed exit stairs in an apartment building.
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Put the fire department number on your phone - 911.
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Choose a place outdoors for everyone to meet for roll call; find a neighbor’s house to telephone the fire department.
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Discuss why you should not go back inside once you are out. (People have died returning into a burning building.) Purchase and install a smoke detector in each bedroom and for each level of your home. Each person should have a whistle (for warning others) to keep by their bed. Some family members may need a special escape ladder for rooms located above the first floor. (Remember, you need to plan two methods of escape from every room.)