Escape: What's your plan?

GRAND RAPID, Mich. (WOOD) - October is Fire Prevention month and there is no better time than now to make sure you've got an escape plan in place for your family in case of fire. Michael McLeieer of E.S.C.A.P.E., Inc. Fire Safety for Kids is one of West Michigan's leading fire safety advocates, and he and Jake the Fire Dog have important tips to help you develop a home fire escape plan. Start by  making a map of your entire home that indicates areas to escape. Mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room. Keep exits clear of clutter or debris. Write the fire department emergency phone number or 911 on your escape plan. All areas have Enhanced 911 in West Michigan, which indicates the caller's home phone location when that call is placed. Identify a safe meeting place outside of your home where everyone can meet once they have escaped. This could be  a tree in the front yard, a fence, a neighbor's house, a sidewalk or your driveway. Draw a picture of the outside meeting place on your escape plan. Post the escape plan in a prominent place, like on your refrigerator. Sound the smoke alarm and practice the escape plan with everyone living in your home. Have family fire drills at least twice a year. For more safety tips and some tools to help you plan, stop by the 9th Annual Family Fire Safety Day event at Lowe's of Portage on October 27 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. WOOD TV8's Bill Steffen and WOTV 4 Women's Jordan Carson will be there, and free smoke alarms and 9-volt batteries will be available upon request while supplies last.

My Family:
Family Fire Safety Plan
-Make map of escape areas
-Mark a door or window in every room
-Keep each clear of clutter and debris
-Write 911 on the escape plan
-Identify a safe place outside to meet
-Draw a picture of the meeting place on the escape plan
-Post the plan in a prominent place
-Sound the smoke alarm and practice the escape plan
-Have a family fire drill twice a year
Annual Family Fire Safety Day
October 27, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Free smoke alarms & 9-volt batteries while supplies last
Lowe's
5108 S. Westnedge
Portage
www.escapeinc.org