A good escape plan includes:

• Carefull preparation.
• Proper placement of smoke detectors.
• Regular drills.
• Special home fire ladders at the bottom of each upstairs windows that can be easily thrown out.
• Everyone knowing how to open doors and windows.
• Everyone knowing the escape plan and the proper proceedures in carring it out.

How to make your escape plan:

• First: Draw a floor plan of your house.
• Doors (interior and exterior) and windows.  Lable any that might be difficult to escape through.
• Primary & alternate exits from each room.  Which will be easier to escape through & which ones are the most logical.All outdoor features that could aid escape  or  hinder escape (such as balconies, roofs,trees).
• An escape plan also takes into account any physical & mental handicaps that a individual may have.
• Also any allowances for the elderly & children.  Arrange for these quarters to be next to those that can help get them out.
• Designate a primary escape plan AND a secondary escape plan.
• Second:  Discuss and practice your plan.
• Know the locations of phones and the number to call for an emergency. THIS IS NOT AT YOUR HOUSE. Please use neighbors phone or a cell phone.
• Special assignments.  Decide who will phone the fire department or 911. Who will circle the house to check missing persons.
• Each person knows the primary and secondary escape routes.
• Designate the outside meeting place. Choose a location that is easy to remember and where firefighters can see you.
• Make sure the baby sitter also knows the plans.
• Vary the drill by varying the situation.  Children should practice getting out each window.  (Depending on the age)
• Third:  Know & discuss to all family members the following survival tips:
• Crawl to the door on your hands and knees, not on your stomach
• Feel the door, if it is cool,brace yourself against it, turn your face away from it, and open it carefully. Slam it close if you detect any smoke or heat.
• If you can't use primary exit because of heat and smoke, use the secondary exit.  If you must break a window, stand to the side as you swing an object through it. Use another object to remove all glass from the frames and place a blanket over the sill.
• Lower yourself to safety by using a fire ladder. Before opening the window, make sure all doors are closed.
• If unable to lower yourself out, the straddle the window, wave a white sheet and start screeming  to attract attention.
• Never reenter a burning building. We as the firefighters have a better chance of rescuing trapped people
• Always seek medical attention afterwards Even if you think that you are unharmed.  Let the medical people determine this

If you catch on fire, stop, drop and roll.  DO NOT RUN!  If another person's clothes are on fire roll them or use a blanket, rug, etc. to put them out.  Be carefull of your own safety.

Close doors as you leave the room.  A closed door acts as a fire barrior.

If you smell smoke or hear an alarm,  stay calm and think what you are to do. Be cautious but do things quick.

Evacuate first then worry about calling the fire department.

Know how and when to use fire extinguishers.  I can not speak for all fire departments, but,  Im pretty sure if you do not know how and when to use one they will be happy to teach you as well as when not to try to extinguish the fire.

• The fire must be small
• Use after everyone else is outsideAim at the base of the fire and in a sweeping motion
• Never let the fire get between you and an escape route
• If after 30 seconds you havn't put the fire out, then you have a fire out of control - - LEAVE the house or structure.