The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
When you enter a public place, do you ever identify exit signs, and do you know two ways out? If you don't, you should! A few years ago, I was at a fire education conference. It was the night of the banquet, and everyone had been sitting at their tables for a while when suddenly the fire alarm sounded! Of course, it must be a false alarm right? All of us left the building in an orderly fashion and went outside. As we were waiting outside, we could here the sirens in the distance. It was a good thing that we all left and didn't hesitate. It was also a good thing that the fire department was on scene. Why? There was a fire! On entering a public building, make it a habit to observe fire exits, stairways, fire alarm pull stations, and make a mental escape plan. In high-rise buildings, know that elevators cannot be used in the event of a fire. Therefore, know where stairwells are located. When you stay at a motel/hotel the fire escape plan is usually on the inside of the door. How many people actually read this? When fire occurs, time is your enemy. You must know where additional exits are located and move to them rapidly. If you encounter smoke during the evacuation, stay low. If escape is not possible, get closed doors between you and the smoke, seal cracks with towels, clothing, or good old duct tape that should be in your suitcase! If there is a telephone available, call the fire department and inform them of your location. You can signal from a window so your location is known. Remember, if you never need what you learn about personal safety, you have lost nothing. But if you never learn what you need, you may lose everything . . . your family and your life! Safety . . . it starts with you!
