What would you do in the event of a major flood, man-made disaster, power outage, toxic spill, or health-related quarantine?  Could you survive on your own for the first 72 hours after a major disaster or emergency? 

The 72 Crew Awareness and Preparedness campaign is dedicated to helping you and your family Be Prepared . . . Not Scared. Click on Get Involved to learn how your community can be 72 Crew Certified.

Being aware and prepared can save your life and reduce property damage during a fire.

Fire Safety Tips

Keep Your Home Safe:

• Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
• If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.
• Test each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries at least twice a year.
• Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms weekly.
• Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.
• Keep one or more working fire extinguishers in your home and know how to use them.

If your smoke detector goes off or you see a fire:

• Remain calm and get out.
• If you see smoke under the door, find another way out.
• Feel the door with the back of your hand before you open it. If it is hot, find another way out.
• Drop to the floor to avoid smoke and fumes. Crawl to safety.
• If your clothes catch on fire, STOP where you are, DROP to the ground, and ROLL over and over to smother the flames.
• Call 9-1-1 from a safe location.
• If you are trapped in a burning building, stay near a window and close to the floor. If possible, signal for help.

Make a Plan:

• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.
• Plan escape routes. Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.
• Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.
• Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.
• Practice your escape plan at least once a month.

If a Fire Occurs:

Call 911 immediately! Get everyone out of the house!

• If the fire is contained and you have a fire extinguisher nearby, you may choose to attempt to put the fire out yourself. If the fire is not electrical or chemical in nature, water can also be used to extinguish it.
• Do not try to put out a fire that is getting out of control. If you're not sure you can control it, get out of the house.
• Smother oil and grease fires in the kitchen with baking soda or salt, or put a lid over the flame if it is burning in a pan.
• If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop, and roll until the fire is extinguished. Running only makes the fire burn faster.
• Sleep with your door closed. If you wake up to the sound of a smoke detector, feel the doorknob with the back of your hand before you open it. If the doorknob is cool, leave immediately. Close doors behind you.
• If you are in a high rise do not use elevators!
• Be prepared to crawl - smoke and heat rise, so the air is clearer and cooler near the floor. If the doorknob is hot, escape through a window.
• If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If you have an operating telephone in the room, call 911 and tell them where you are.
• Have your family meet at a pre-designated area outside the house. If any members of the family are missing, notify firefighters.
• If you don't have a set plan for exiting your home in an emergency, create one, practice it.
• If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out. Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor' s home.

After a fire:

• Have injuries examined and treated by a medical professional.
• Wash small wounds with soap and water. To help prevent the infection of small wounds, use bandages and replace them if they become soiled, damaged or waterlogged.
• Remain calm. Pace yourself. You may find yourself in the position of taking charge of other people. Listen carefully to what people are telling you, and deal patiently with urgent situations first.
• Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter. Do not remove or cross colored tape that was placed over doors or windows to mark damaged areas unless local authorities advise that it is safe to do so.
• If a building inspector has placed a color-coded sign on the home, do not enter it until you get more information, advice and instructions about what the sign means and whether it is safe to enter your home.

Evacuating During A Wildfire

When wildfires ignite, they can spread very quickly. Preparedness now will help save homes and lives. It's important to know how to evacuate and what to bring with you.  

If wildland fires threaten your area, listen to your radio or television for reports and evacuation information, and follow the directions of local authorities. 

The Five P’s of Immediate Evacuation

1. People and Pets – And other livestock too
2. Papers – Important documents
3. Prescriptions – Pills and eyeglasses
4. Pictures – Irreplaceable memories
5. Personal Computer – Information on hard drives and disks

Before the Fire:

• Collect valuables, important documents, medications and other personal items in one place and be ready to evacuate if necessary.
• What you can fit into your vehicle is what you can take. Make priorities by what is replaceable and what is not.
• Maintain a mobile survival kit. This includes a first aid kit, emergency tools, a battery powered radio and flashlight, extra batteries, car keys, credit cards, water and non-perishable food. Also consider blankets and sleeping bags.
• Determine your need to have coverings for windows and skylights to increase fire resistance. Have these coverings readily accessible.
• Have a means of transporting pets and livestock readily available.
• Make sure the needs of children and any elderly or disabled family members are met.
• Clearly post your name and address, so it can be seen from the street.
• Establish and practice a family evacuation plan and a meeting location. Know who you will notify about your evacuation. Know where you will get fire updates.

When Fire Is Nearby:

• Park your vehicle facing out. Put your valuables in the car. Place the car keys where you can find them quickly.
• Dress appropriately. Have sturdy shoes, long pants and shirt, gloves and a handkerchief.
• Confine or secure pets to one room or area. Prepare them to be transported.
• Move all flammable furniture (including outdoor furniture) to the center of your home.
• Keep your electricity on and leave some lights on.
• Close shutters, blinds and heavy drapes. Remove lightweight drapes and curtains.
• Close fireplace dampers and fireplace screens.
• Shut all interior and exterior doors, and leave them unlocked.
• Place a note attached to the front door stating the names of all evacuees, the time and date of the evacuation, your destination and your contact information.
• Connect garden hose to faucet and leave buckets full of water around your house.
• Place a ladder outside for roof access.