E.D.I.T.H. (Exit Drills in the Home)

Make a Home Escape Plan!
  • A home escape plan is a plan to get out of your home quickly.
  • Get Everyone in your home together, find all doors and windows that lead outside.  Make sure they open easily.
  • Windows or doors with security bars, grills, or window guards should have emergency release devices so they can be used for escape.
  • Know at least two ways out of every room if possible.  One way out will be the door and the second way out may be a window or another door.
  • Choose a meeting place a safe distance in front of the home where everyone should meet once they have escaped.
  • Make Sure your house number can be seen from the street.
  • Have a plan for anyone in your home who may need assistance to escape such as young children, older adults, or people with disabilities.
  • Make sure everyone knows how to call 911 or your local emergency number for the fire department.
Practice your plan at night and during the day with everyone in your home at least twice a year.
  • Push the smoke alarm button to start the drill.
  • Get out fast.
  • Close doors behind you as you leave.
  • Go to your outside meeting place.
  • Practice using different ways out.
Have Working Smoke Alarms.
  • Install Smoke Alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area. For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms through out the home.  When one sounds they will all sound.
  • Make sure everyone knows what your smoke alarms sound like, and can hear the sound of the smoke alarms.
  • Test your smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
If you can't get outside...
  • Seal vents and cracks around doors with a wet cloth.  Call the Fire Department, tell them where you are, and signal from a window with a flashlight or light colored cloth.
Make a safe escape...
  • If there is smoke blocking your way out, use your second way period.  If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your way out.
  • If you can't get to someone who needs help, leave the home and call the fire department.  Tell the Fire Department where the person is located.
  • Once outside call the Fire Department from a cell phone or the neighbor's phone.
  • Once you are out of the home, stay out never go back into the burning building to rescue people, pets, or belongings.
More tips for multi-story buildings...
  • Your building management should post the emergency escape plan on every floor.
  • Learn and practice your buildings escape plan.
  • Know the location of all doors leading outside and know where fire alarms are.
  • During a drill or fire, follow instructions given over your buildings public address system.
  • Keep a cell phone with you during an emergency.
  • Use the stairs never use elevators during a fire.