Before the Fire
1. Find the nearest emergency exit. In any place, whether it is your home or somewhere else, you must be alert enough to know where the nearest emergency exit is.
2 Have smoke alarms installed. A smoke alarm can make a huge difference and can save your life. A working smoke alarm can reduce the risk of death by as much as 60%. Place the smoke alarms near to bedrooms and on all the floors of the home. The batteries must also be tested monthly and must be replaced annually.
3. Have an escape plan. For people with mobility impairments, the reflexes and movements are not as fast enough as other people. That is why they must have an escape plan: at least two exists in every room, doors and windows, and security devices (like installed bars) that can be removed from the inside out.
During the Fire
1. Stay low. Always crawl low and stay away from the smoke as long as you are able. Also, cover the mouth and the nose from toxic fumes. Do not use the elevator.
2. What to do when you are trapped. Close the doors that go between you and the fire. Also fill the cracks in the vents and the doors with damp cloth to put the smoke away.
Fire Prevention
1. Cooking. When cooking, never leave the stove unattended. Also, when cooking over open flame, wear tight-fitting clothes.
2. Do not smoke in bed. Do not smoke in your bed or near an oxygen source. Also, place signs that will dissuade visitors from smoking within your home.