Practice Your Home Fire Escape Plan Before You Need it, Fire Officials Say

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — Clay County Fire & Rescue is urging every household to make a home fire escape plan and practice it before a fire starts.

A smoke alarm can warn residents that a fire has begun. An escape plan tells them what to do next, the department said. Every family should have one, and everyone in the house should know it.

Officials said residents should know at least two ways out of each room when possible. Doors and windows used for escape should open easily and should not be blocked. Children should understand the plan, and families should account for anyone who may need help getting outside.

Households should also choose a permanent meeting place away from the house, such as a mailbox, a tree or the end of the driveway.

Once outside, residents should stay out, the department said. No one should go back into a burning building for belongings, pets or anything else. Call 911 from outside and tell arriving firefighters if someone or something may still be inside.

Clay County Fire & Rescue said families should not wait until a house is filling with smoke to try the plan for the first time.

“Practice it before you need it,” the department said.