New Canaan Fire Marshal Urges Residents To Design A Fire Escape Plan

Information via the New Canaan Fire Marshal's Office

NEW CANAAN, CT — The New Canaan Fire Marshal's office has shared tips to help families develop a "fire escape plan" to follow in the event of an emergency.

In a Facebook post, fire officials said home fires can become a disaster if residents are not familiar with how to escape during an emergency.

The first step is to design a fire escape plan:

• Sketch a floor plan of your home, and indicate on the plan doors and windows from which you can escape from each room. Identify at least two ways out of every room.
• Designate a meeting place outside the home where family members should meet once they have safely escaped.
• Practice your fire escape plan; regular exit drills in the home will allow you to test the plan and adjust as needed.
• Make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors should be installed in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed outside of every sleeping area and on each level including the basement.
• The audible warning for fire should be different than the audible for intruders, all family members should be aware of the difference between the two alarms.
• Everyone should know the locations of telephones in the house. It is important that children also know the 911 phone number to report fire and other emergencies.

The fire marshal's office will also conduct a complimentary home safety inspection at the request of any resident.

Home safety inspections provide one of the best means of delivering safety education through direct contact with New Canaan residents, fire officials said. The fire marshal will explain specific items and answer questions about a resident's home.

To schedule a home inspection, residents can call the New Canaan Fire Marshal's office at 203-594-3030.

More information is available here.