10 Steps to Fire Safety (courtesy of Chicago Fire Department)
Parker-Holsman Co.    1461 E. 57th Street    Chicago, IL 60637    773-493-2525 Your Neighborhood Realtor since 1931

1. Smoke alarms:
   
   • are LAW
   • check batteries monthly
   • change batteries when you change your clocks
   • place one on every floor, near stairwells, near bedrooms
2. Escape plan:
   
   • make sure there are two exits out of every major room in the house
   • designate a meeting place to go to in case of emergency or fire
3. Close bedroom doors:
   
   • a closed bedroom door will keep out smoke and fire for up to 20 minutes
4. Roll out of bed:
   
   • when you hear or see the smoke alarm, roll out of bed, crawl under smoke
   • crawl outside to your meeting place
5. Never:
   
   • never hide
   • never waste time grabbing valuables
   • never try to save any pets
   • never use elevators
6. Know two ways out:
   
   • exit a door first
   • if door is hot, do not open; find another exit, like another door or window
   • if using window as 2nd exit, climb out only if on first floor
   • if on 2nd floor or higher; blow a whistle, scream anything or any sound; and wave a pillow case or shirt for attention
7. Feel the door:
   
   • feel the door first with back of your hand
   • if hot, do not open; find another way out
   • if not hot, open door slowly and peek
   • if path is clear of fire and smoke, exit out
8. Do not go back in; go to your meeting place:
   
   • never go back in; go to your meeting place
   • tell a fireman if someone is still in the building
9. Call 911:
   
   • from your meeting place, determine if everyone is out of the building, then call 911
10. Practice your escape plan:
    
    • run through your escape plan once a month
    • when you are comfortable with the plan, run through it once every 6 months

Return to top

Disclaimer: Parker-Holsman Co. is providing this information as a public service. Parker-Holsman Co. is not responsible for the content of this document. Questions or comments concerning the content of this document should be directed to:

Go to the fire safety main page

Go to the Parker-Holsman Co. homepage | Site Map

Typing errors and problems with links should be reported to our webmaster for correction.

Copyright  ©  2003 Parker-Holsman Co.
Please take a look at our copyright and other legal information.