It's the middle of the night, the smoke detector has gone off and your house is burning. Do you have an escape plan? If not, you're not alone. A study carried out last year by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs found that only 55 per cent of Canadians have ever practised a home fire drill.
Such a plan could save your life. Here are some tips from the Ontario Fire Marshal's office.
• Move fast. It can take less than three minutes for everything in your home to burn once a fire starts.
• Make a plan. Decide who in your household will assist any disabled or elderly family members, who will tend to the pets and who will be responsible for the children.
• Keep a close eye on kids. When the family is evacuating the house, hold onto your children. They're often frightened by fire and may try to hide or run back upstairs.
