Safety brief: having an escape plan Published March 5, 2014 82nd Training Wing Safety Office SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- No one expects a fire to occur either at home or in their work centers, but it can happen. You know what they say; the best offense is a good defense. Have an escape plan and ensure all occupants know what to do in the event of a fire. If there is a fire in your home keep the following things in mind: · If it's night, get out of bed and crawl to the door on the floor. Smoke and heat rise. It's cooler and easier to breathe on the floor. · Touch the door. If it's warm, don't open it. If the door is cool to the touch, open it very slowly because there may be intense heat on the other side. If the hallway is full of smoke or if you can see fire, close the door and use an alternative route out. · When leaving the building, stay low and close doors behind you. Closed doors will help slow the spread of the fire. · Get out of the building and stay out. No one should go back inside until the fire department tells you it's safe to do so. · Once you're out of the burning building, go to the designated meeting spot and make sure everybody is accounted for. · Phone the fire department from a neighbor's house. · If your clothes catch fire, don't run. Stop, drop and roll. Stop immediately, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands, and roll over and over. Practice this maneuver with your children. Explain to them that rolling smothers the flames. If you can't get out of the house because of heat or smoke and you're on an upper floor, close the door of the room you're in. Plug any cracks under the door with bedding to prevent smoke from entering. Open a window and scream for help to get someone's attention or use an escape ladder. Don't jump out of the window unless there is no other choice. (Information prepared by Staff Sgt. Summer Reza)