Home fires can become a disaster if you and your family are not familiar with how to escape during an emergency. The first step is to design a fire escape plan:
-
Fire Marshal Paul Payne. Credit: Michael Dinan
Sketch a floor plan of your home, indicate on the plan doors and windows from which you can escape from each room. Identify at least 2 ways out of every room.
- Designate a meeting place outside of the home where family members should meet once they have safely escaped.
- Practice your fire escape plan; regular exit drills in the home will allow you to test the plan and make adjustments as needed.
- Make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors should be installed in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and on every level. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed outside of every sleeping area and on each level including the basement.
- The audible warning for fire should be different than the audible for intruder, all family members should be aware of the difference between the two alarms.
- Everyone should know the locations of telephones in the house. It is important that children also know the 911 phone number to report fire and other emergencies.
The Fire Marshal’s office will conduct a complimentary home safety inspection at the request of any resident. Home safety inspections provide one of the best means of delivering safety education through direct contact with New Canaan residents. The Fire Marshal will explain specific items and answer questions that relate to your home.
To schedule your home inspection please call 203-594-3030.