Your family needs to be prepared in case of a fire. Here are some do's and don'ts that will help you to remain safe before, during, and after a fire.

DO

• Make sure that everyone knows two ways out of every room.
• Teach children to crawl on their hands and knees to get low under smoke.
• Close doors behind you to slow the spread of fire and smoke.
• Plan a meeting spot outside the house, at a neighbor's or in a special place in the yard a good distance from the house.
• Teach kids that once they get outside, they should stay outside.
• Hold frequent fire drills, including some at night, and make sure everyone is following the plan perfectly.
• Assign a responsible adult to look after house pets in case of fire.
• Assign someone to call 911.
• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of
  your home.
• Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries at least once a year. Since alarms become weaker over time, make sure to replace yours every ten years.
• Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
• Keep one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Make sure you know the appropriate way to use them.

DON'T

• Do not rely on one way to escape from your home.
• Do not forget about the levels of your home. Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor.
• Do not assume everyone will remember how to exit your home during a fire. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
• Do not reenter a burning building. Nothing is as valuable as your life.
• Do not open a door without feeling it first. If it is warm, the fire is nearby and you could cause greater risk of spreading the fire and injuring yourself.