Senior citizens, age 65 and older, and children under the age of five are at the greatest risk of death from fire
Deaths due to an inability to escape are particularly preventable
Having a working smoke alarm reduces one's chance of dying in a fire by nearly a half
Fire Escape Planning Life-Saving Tips
Designate a meeting place outside and take attendance, get out and stay out
Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home, test smoke alarm batteries every month and change them at least once a year; consider installing a 10-year lithium battery-powered smoke alarm, which is sealed so it cannot be tampered with or opened
Know your local emergency numbers; in most areas, the number is 911
Make sure everyone in your family knows at least two ways to escape from each room in the house
Never open doors that are hot to the touch
Practice finding your way out of the house with your eyes closed, crawling or staying low and feeling your way out of the house
Remember to escape first, then notify the fire department
Teach your family to stop, drop to the ground and roll if their clothes catch fire