SERVPRO of Fargo recommends having a plan to escape a home fire.

September is National Preparedness Month

Preparedness is important all year long. September is the month for all of us to fix the gaps in our preparedness.

According the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), a fire can move from triggering the smoke alarm to home destruction within five minutes. In the best cases, the fires do not destroy the homes, but the results of a fire are good only if everyone gets out safely.

The NFPA suggests that families make a fire escape plan that gets everyone out of the house within two minutes.

SERVPRO® of Fargo wants everyone to be safe. We can restore property and belongings. We cannot replace people.  

Making the Plan

• Include the children in the plan. The family should practice their escape plans twice a year.
• Teach children not to hide from firefighters. The equipment may be frightening, but the firefighters save lives.
• Find two ways to get out of each room in case one way is blocked by fire or smoke.
• Windows or collapsible ladders may be the alternate exits.
• Practice getting out of the house with in the dark.
• Practice crawling out of the house as smoke and gases rise to the ceiling.
• Make sure that everyone can open windows, remove screens, and open any security bars.
• Assign helpers to assist babies, young children, and anyone with mobility impairments.
• Arrange a safe place for everyone to meet.

During an Escape

• Crawl low under any smoke to the exit.
• Before opening a door, feel the doorknob and door. If either is hot, or if there is smoke coming around the door, leave the door closed and use your second way out.
• Open doors slowly in case there is fire or smoke behind them.
• If you can’t get to someone needing help, leave the home and call 9-1-1. Tell the operator or the firefighters where the person is located.
• If pets are trapped inside your home, tell firefighters right away. Fire departments provide stickers that tell firefighters how many pets (and what kind) are in the home.

• If you are trapped in the home, close the door, and cover vents and cracks around doors with towels to keep out the smoke. Call 9-1-1. Say where you are and signal for help.
• If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll – stop immediately, drop to the ground, and cover your face with your hands.  Roll over or back and forth until the fire is out.

After the Disaster

If everyone is safe, feel good about that. The emotional aftermath of a home fire is tough, so check with the Red Cross or the fire department for resources on coping.

For remediation of fire damage, call us:

SERVPRO of Fargo

701-232-2455