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Fire Safety Tips
Operation EDITH
Established by the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC) in the state of North Carolina in 1996, Operation EDITH is a fire-safety program that seeks to encourage the parents of young children to talk to their kids about the importance of fire safety
The cornerstone of the campaign is Exit Drill In The Home, thus the name “EDITH.” The purpose of EDITH is to educate early elementary school children and their families about the life-saving value of having a fire escape plan from their home.
Make an Escape Plan
- Draw an outline or plan of your house or apartment. Make a drawing of each floor. Dimensions do not have to be correct.
- Now add the rooms and label them. Show important details: stairs, hallways, roofs that can be used as fire escapes.
- Choose a family meeting place and show it on the map.
- Check each room for the best way to escape.
- Test windows and doors – do they open easily?
- Be sure that everyone has at least two ways out.
- Escape ladders may be necessary from upper-level windows.
- Any security devices should open easily. You may not have time to find a key.
- Always sleep with your bedroom door closed.
- Find a way for everyone to sound a family fire alarm. Yelling, pounding walls, whistles, etc.
- In a fire it is seconds, not minutes that count. Don’t waste time getting dressed, don’t search for pets or valuables. Just get out.
- Roll out of bed, don’t stand straight up because one breath of smoke or heated gases may be enough to kill you.
- Feel all doors before opening them, there may be fire on the other side. If the door is hot, use your second way out.
- Once outside, go immediately to your family meeting place and stay there!
- Never re-enter a burning structure for any reason.
- Call the fire department from a neighbors house.
- Tell dispatcher if everyone is out of the house.
Getting Out
- Plan ahead
- Never open doors that are warm to the touch
- Crawl low under smoke. Crawl on your hands and knees, not your belly!
- Exit safely! Be sure to use the proper tools (ex: fire safety ladder at a second story window)
- Go to your outside meeting place and call for help
- If your clothing catches fire, STOP, DROP, and ROLL
Get out fast. Do not stop to grab anything. Do not go back in!
CO and Smoke Detectors
Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors should be installed on each level of the home outside of the sleeping areas, and the batteries tested monthly.
Causes of Fire
Click to learn more about the top causes of fire and how to prevent them:
- Click to learn more about the top causes of fire and how to prevent them:
Safety Checklist, Room by Room
Kitchen
- Keep a fire extinguisher easily accessible
- Maintain stove in good operating condition
- Keep baking soda on hand to extinguish grease fires
- Move handles of pots and pans containing hot liquids away from front of stove
- Keep flammable curtains and towels away from burners
- Store matches and lighters out of reach of children
- Properly store flammable liquids in approved containers and away from ignition source
Bathroom
- Disconnect hot appliances such as curling irons and flatirons when done; store in safe location until cool
- Keep flammable items away from wall and floor heaters
Bedroom
- Unplug electric blankets and other electric appliances when not in use
- Keep fire extinguisher in bedrooms (if occupant is capable of using properly)
- Do not smoke in bed
Living Room/Hallway
- Install a screen on fireplace
- Store ashes from fireplace in non-combustible container and dispose of when cold
- Clean fireplace chimneys and flues at least once a year
- Make sure electrical outlets are designed to handle appliance loads
- Install child safety plugs on electrical outlets
- Replace electrical cords that do not work properly, have loose connections, or are frayed
Garage
- Mount a fire extinguisher in the garage
- Install a solid door with self-closing hinges between living area and garage
- Dispose of oily rags in metal containers
- Store all combustibles away from ignition sources
- Disconnect electrical tools and appliances when not in use
- Allow hot tools to cool before storing
- Have tools, such as a shovel, hoe, rake, and bucket, available for use in a wildfire emergency
Exterior
- Remove dead branches overhanging your roof
- Remove any tree limbs within 10 feet of your chimney
- Clean all dead leaves and needles from your roof and gutters
- Install a roof that meets fire resistance classification of “class C” or better
- Cover your chimney outlet and stovepipe with nonflammable screen of 1/2″ or smaller mesh
For more detailed fire safety tips, for any situation, click here
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