If the smoke alarm sounded in your home today, would everyone know exactly what to do to escape safely? If the answer is “no,” then start planning! On Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Warrenton Fire Protection District will be holding an open house to review residents’ home fire escape plans, and make sure families are fully prepared in the event of a fire.

“Home fire escape planning and practice can make a life-saving difference in a fire,” said Chief Anthony Hayeslip of the Warrenton Fire Protection District. “This open house gives us a unique opportunity to review home fire escape plans with individual families, and help them to ensure that they have all the necessary home fire safety measures in place.”

While home is where people are at greatest risk to fire, research shows that most Americans have a false sense of security toward fire, and believe they’re safest from it at home. According to an NFPA survey:

• One in every three American households (32%) have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
• One-third thought they would have at least six minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. In reality, the time available is often less.
• Only 8% of U.S. households said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out.

The Warrenton Fire Protection District hopes that the upcoming open house motivates its residents to start thinking more proactively about home fire safety. “Home fires can and do happen. When the smoke alarm sounds, it’s too late to start making a plan. People need to be prepared for fire well beforehand,” said Chief Hayeslip.

NFPA and the Warrenton Fire Protection District offer the following guidelines for developing a home fire escape plan:

• Draw a map of your home, marking two ways out of each room (usually a door and a window). Make sure all doors and windows in your escape plan open easily and are not blocked by furniture or other items.
• Choose a meeting place outside in front of the home where everyone will meet upon exiting.
• Include a local emergency phone number everyone knows so that the fire department can be contacted immediately.
• Make sure your home has properly installed, working smoke alarms (one on every level of the home, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom).
• Practice, practice, practice! Home fire drills should be held regularly, at least twice a year.

The Warrenton Fire Protection District encourages residents to bring their home escape plans to the open house for review. Fire officials will be available to review them, offering suggestions and assistance for making plans as effective as possible.

“This event will be fun and informative for all people of all ages,” said Chief Hayeslip. “We encourage all Warrenton Fire District residents to stop by with their plans, and make sure that they’re truly prepared in the event of a home fire.”

Visit NFPA’s official Web site at www.nfpa.org/homeescape to download “How to Make a Home Fire Escape Plan,” which can be used to create a map of your home, and to learn more about home fire escape planning and practice.