Your Home Fire Safe

• Smoke alarms save lives. 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.
• 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.
• Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
• Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.
• Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.

Plan Your 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 twice a year.

Escape Safely

• Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor's home.
• If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.
• If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out.
• 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 there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.

Your Local Red Cross Chapter Can Provide Additional Materials in English and Spanish: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_584_,00.html

1. CREATE A FAMILY DISASTER PLAN

Get together with the family to discuss why you need to prepare for an emergency or disaster. Remember, a disaster to your family could be a house fire. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather and other hazards to children in a non-threatening way. Plan ahead to share responsibilities and work together as a team.

• Discuss with the family what disasters are most likely to happen and what to do in each case.
• Talk about what to do if the power goes out.
• Pick two emergency meeting places and make sure everyone knows where they are:
  1. One should be right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency like a fire.
  2. The second should be outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home or are evacuated.
• Ask an out-of-state friend or family member to be your "family contact". Make sure all family members have this person's name and telephone number. After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Each family member should call this person to tell them where they are.
• Talk about what you'll do in the event of an evacuation.
• Meet with your neighborhood to talk about developing a neighborhood disaster plan.
  

2. COMPLETE THIS CHECKLIST

• Check to see if your home and its contents are fully insured ESPECIALLY FOR FLOOD DAMAGE. Most homeowners policies do not cover floods!
• Post emergency numbers by the phones.
• Teach children how, and when, to dial 911.
• Show everyone how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches.
• Turn off the utilities ONLY if told to do so by emergency officials or if you are sure the lines are damaged. If you turn the gas off, a professional MUST turn it back on to avoid the possibility of an explosion or gas leak.
• Install smoke detectors on each level of your home especially near bedrooms.
• Get a fire extinguisher and make sure everyone knows how to use it and where it's kept.
• Put together a Disaster Supplies Kit.
• Take a first-aid and CPR class.
• Find two routes out of every room in your home.
  

3. PRACTICE AND MAINTAIN/UPDATE YOUR PLAN

• Quiz the kids every six months so they'll remember what to do.
• Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
• Test smoke detectors monthly and change batteries twice a year.
• Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturers instructions.
• Replaced stored water in your Disaster Supplies Kit every three months and replace stored food every six months.

Water

• Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.
• Store one gallon of water per person per day.
• Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).*

Food

• Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
  • Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
  • Canned juices
  • Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
  • High energy foods
  • Vitamins
  • Food for infants
  • Comfort/stress foods

First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

• (20) adhesive bandages, various sizes.
• (1) 5" x 9" sterile dressing.
• (1) conforming roller gauze bandage.
• (2) triangular bandages.
• (2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads.
• (2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.
• (1) roll 3" cohesive bandage.
• (2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• (6) antiseptic wipes.
• (2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves.
• Adhesive tape, 2" width.
• Anti-bacterial ointment.
• Cold pack.
• Scissors (small, personal).
• Tweezers.
• CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield.

Non-Prescription Drugs

• Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for stomach upset)
• Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
• Laxative
• Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Tools and Supplies

• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils*
• Emergency preparedness manual*
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries*
• Flashlight and extra batteries*
• Cash or traveler's checks, change*
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife*
• Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
• Tube tent
• Pliers
• Tape
• Compass
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic storage containers
• Signal flare
• Paper, pencil
• Needles, thread
• Medicine dropper
• Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
• Whistle
• Plastic sheeting
• Map of the area (for locating shelters)

Sanitation

• Toilet paper, towelettes*
• Soap, liquid detergent*
• Feminine supplies*
• Personal hygiene items*
• Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Disinfectant
• Household chlorine bleach

Clothing and Bedding
*Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

• Sturdy shoes or work boots*
• Rain gear*
• Blankets or sleeping bags*
• Hat and gloves
• Thermal underwear
• Sunglasses
• Special Items

Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons

For Baby*

• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Powdered milk
• Medications

For Adults*

• Heart and high blood pressure medication
• Insulin
• Prescription drugs
• Denture needs
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Extra eye glasses

Entertainment

• Games and books

Important Family Documents

• Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:
  • Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
  • Passports, social security cards, immunization records
  • Bank account numbers
  • Credit card account numbers and companies
    
• Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
• Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supplies kit in the trunk of your car.
• Keep items in airtight plastic bags. Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Replace your stored food every six months. Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
• Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.

Provided by the International Association of Fire Chiefs based upon recommendations from the American Red Cross and U.S. Department of Homeland Security This system is intended to create a common vocabulary, context, and structure for an ongoing national discussion about the nature of the threats that confront the homeland and the appropriate measures that should be taken in response. It seeks to inform and facilitate decisions appropriate to different levels of government and to private citizens at home and at work.

SEVERE (RED)
Severe risk of terrorist attacks

Complete recommended actions at lower levels, and:

• Work with local community leaders, emergency management, government agencies, community organizations and utilities to meet immediate needs of the community
• Assign emergency response personnel and pre-position and mobilize specially trained teams or resources
• Be prepared to work with a dispersed or smaller work force
• Increase or redirect personnel to address critical emergency needs
• Monitor, redirect, or constrain transportation systems
• Adhere to any travel restrictions announced by local governmental authorities
• Contact businesses/schools to determine status of work/school day
• 100% identification check (i.e.-driver’s license retained at front office) and escort of anyone entering fire station
• Close public and government facilities
• Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities immediately
• Ensure mental health counselors available for employees
• Listen to radio/TV for current information/instructions

HIGH (ORANGE)
High risk of terrorist attacks

Complete recommended actions at lower levels, and:

• Contact other key emergency response organizations to confirm their emergency response plan procedures
• Coordinate necessary security efforts with Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies or any National Guard or other appropriate armed forces organizations
• Have emergency supplies on hand, shelters readied, and review procedures
• Ensure communication plan is understood/practiced by all department members
• Review emergency plans to include continuity of operations and media materials
• Determine need to restrict access to fire department property, fire stations and other key local business facilities.
• Determine whether private security firm support/reinforcement is required
• Take additional precautions at public events and possibly consider alternative venues or even cancellation
• Prepare to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an alternate site or dispersing workforce
• Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities
• Exercise caution when traveling

ELEVATED (YELLOW)
Significant risk of terrorist attacks

Complete recommended actions at lower levels, and:

• Coordinate emergency plans as appropriate with nearby jurisdictions
• Assess whether the precise characteristics of the threat require the further refinement of preplanned Protective Measures
• Implement, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans
• Check telephone and pager numbers and e-mail addresses in your communication plan and update as necessary
• Develop alternate routes of transit for emergency evacuation and practice them
• Contact private security firm for security risk assessment and to determine availability of support/reinforcement
• Increase surveillance of critical locations
• Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities

GUARDED (BLUE)
General risk of terrorist attacks

Complete recommended actions at lower level, and:

• Establish alternate staging locations
• Ensure emergency communication plan updated and needed equipment is purchased
• Check communications with designated emergency response or command locations
• Review and update emergency response procedures
• Provide the public with any information that would strengthen its ability to act appropriately
• Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities

LOW (GREEN)
Low risk of terrorist attacks

• Develop a comprehensive disaster/emergency response plan
• Refine and exercise as appropriate preplanned Protective Measures
• Ensure personnel receive proper training on the Homeland Security Advisory System and specific preplanned department or agency Protective Measures
• Institutionalize a process to assure that all facilities and regulated sectors are regularly assessed for vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks and all reasonable measures are taken to mitigate these vulnerabilities.