What is E.D.I.T.H.? It is exit drills in the home. Having a predetermined exit plan can dramatically improve the chances of you and your loved ones escaping a fire in your home. A fire will double in size about every thirty seconds, which means you must act very quickly. The smoke from a fire is very thick, and it is very likely you will not be able to see when exiting.

“How do I make a plan?” It is very simple. Draw the floor plan of your house. Then draw a primary and secondary escape route from each room. Choose a meeting place for the member’s of your household to meet when they get out of the house. This needs to be at a safe distance from your home. Be specific with the meeting place, this could be a tree, or neighbors driveway. REMEMBER: ONCE YOU GET OUT, STAY OUT!!!

Potential problems: Do you have security bars installed on your windows? If so, you need to be able to easily open these from the inside. Make sure all windows are easily opened, and make sure children can operate these as well. Is there any large shrubbery or landscaping blocking the window? If the bedroom is on the second floor, you need to have an escape ladder available. You can get these at most home improvement stores.

Practice your plan. Make sure your plan works, and that there are two escape routes out of every room. Have everyone participate. Consider what you would do if an exit was blocked by fire. Get down on your hands and knees and crawl, staying as low as possible. There is usually a space below the smoke, close to the floor where there is fresh air and better visibility. If a door is shut, feel it for heat to make sure there is is not fire on the other side. Do this by using the back of your hand and feel the bottom of the door, then work your way up the door. If you do not feel any heat, feel the doorknob, again with the back of your hand, and then open the door. If the door is hot, find another way out.

Remember: Always keep your bedroom doors closed at night; this will buy you time before the smoke will enter your room.

Always check doors for heat before opening. If you have to put your plan into action, remember that it is easy to get turned around and confused, even in your own home. Stay calm. This is why practicing your plan is important. Staying calm and remembering what you have practiced will help you exit your house quickly. When you determine there is a fire, pound on walls and yell FIRE! This will alert other family members. Resist the urge to rescue anyone else, unless they are unable to assist themselves. Remember, your family may already be out and at the designated meeting place. Your priority is to get yourself out, and call 911.

 Don’t take the time to get dressed or grab valuables.

 You can get a pamphlet to assist in creating your exit plan at:

 https://www.com.state.oh.us/sfm/pub/fireEscape99.pdf