Pathy Anne Massidy(ph): Hi, I am Pathy Anne Massidy with the Alexandria Fire Department in Alexandria, Virginia. Today, we are talking to you about fire safety. Next, we are going to talk about how to plan and practice the fire escape plan for your home.

Everyone can get of the fire safely if you know what to do when you hear the sound of the smoke alarm. First, make a plan. Draw a floor plan of your home with your family and make sure you know two ways out of every room. Then, pick a meeting place somewhere away from the house where everyone knows to meet if there is a fire. Be sure your meeting place is somewhere away from the house like your neighbor s house or store across the street.

Having a plan for fire drills in your home is important, but practicing it is the most important. Make the drill as realistic as possible. You may block off and exit one time and a different exit the next time. Also, consider people in the household that they may have special needs and need extra assistant during the fire drills. Remember, a fire drill is a not a race. Leave quickly but don t run. Remember these tips to prepare your home for a fire. Make sure that everyone including children can reach, unlock and open all windows. If your windows have security bars, make sure they are equipped with the quick release device.

Here are some ways to prepare for a fire if you and your family live in an apartment building. First, make sure that you familiarize yourself with building s emergency plan. Next, make sure you understand where all the emergency exits and fire alarms are located. When you hear the sound of a fire alarm, exit the building as quickly as possible. Remember to always take the stairs in the fire, never take the elevator.

When escaping from a fire, here are some important things to remember, crawl, keep your head one to two feet above the floor where the air will the cleanest. Test the door knobs and space around the door with the back of your hand. If the door is warm try another escape route. If it s cool, open it slowly, slam it shut if the smoke pours through. Once you ve safely exited your home or building after fire, go to the nearest phone and call 911. Get out and stay out, never go back into a fire once you ve exited. Don t go back for any reason.