Make sure home is free of unnecessary combustible materials.

Do not store flammable liquids inside the home.

Do not run wires under carpets or rugs.

Do not store matches or cigarette lighters where children can get them.

Do not leave cooking unattended.

If you smoke, do not smoke in bed or in other positions where you may doze. Also, have many large ashtrays in the home.

Know avenues of escape. Always have two ways out of every room.

Have a place to meet so no one tries to go back into a burning building to look for someone needlessly.

Have fire extinguishers near the kitchen and the garage.

Have escape ladders for all windows higher than eight feet off the ground.

Install a smoke detector in every bedroom, and in every hallway outside of a bedroom, and at least one on every level of the house.

Test the smoke detectors monthly. Change the batteries in the smoke detectors in the fall when you change your clocks.

Plan and practice a family fire drill on the first of each month. A good plan will have a place to meet, two ways out of every room, and escape ladders.

If you are outside, stay outside. Do not return for anything. Do not re-enter the building until appropriate authorities have given permission.

If you are inside, get out. Go to the nearest house or building and call 911. Report the address, and type of fire. Listen to and follow instructions. Go to your family meeting place.

If you are inside and have time, make sure everyone is out.

If you are in a closed room or office, do not open the door without first feeling it or the door knob. If it is warm or hot, do not open it, but unlock it to help rescue or fire personnel.

If there is smoke, get under the smoke, no matter how low it is, and get out of the building.

If you cannot use the door or other means of escape to exit and if there is smoke, use clothes, sheets, etc. to stop the smoke from coming in. Go to the window and yell or blow a whistle.

If you are at home and there is a window, stay close to the floor and exit through the window, using the escape ladder if necessary.

If you catch on fire, do not run. Stop where you are. Drop to the ground and cover your face. Roll over and over to smother the flames.

If you see someone on fire, use a coat or blanket, etc., but not your bare hands, to smother the flames.

Watch to see that nobody goes back inside to rescue anything or anyone.

Turn off the gas and electricity, if possible, from outside of the house.

In a public building, know two ways out. If you hear a fire alarm, immediately exit the building regardless of what you are doing. Follow the established evacuation instructions.