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We cannot stress how important it is for you and your family to have a fire escape plan.

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One of the ways we can keep our families safe is by practicing E.D.I.T.H. (Exit Drills In The Home).

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Many injuries are caused by people of all ages reacting improperly when there is a fire in their home. Exit drills can prevent this by getting everyone in the family safely out of the house and to a location where they can be accounted for. If the smoke detectors in your home activate, or if you smell smoke, you should leave the house immediately. Do not delay this by taking any personal belongings or pets with you. Before you open a door to exit a room, feel the door to make sure it isn't warm. If it is warm, there may be fire on the other side, so leave this room by another door or a window. If there is smoke in the house, crawl on the floor where it is easier to both see and breathe. Once you are out of the house, do not go back in for any reason! Go straight for your family's meeting place.

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A meeting place can be a tree in your front yard, a mailbox, a fire hydrant by the street, or any other place safely located from the house where the family meets to see that everyone is safely out of the home.

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At this time, someone should go to a neighbor's house to call the fire department. Never go back inside your home to dial 9-1-1! Your family should wait until the fire department tells you it is safe to reenter your home. Just like the fire drills children learn at school, exit drills need to be practiced regularly at home.