February 23, 2021
Olympia –When fire happens in the home, every second counts to ensure everyone remains safe. As part of your home fire escape plan, the State Fire Marshal’s Office encourages you to include steps for helping family members who may need extra assistance getting outside to a designated gathering location. Consider the following:
• Install smoke alarms and alerting devices that include strobe lights or bed shakers to alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing and may not be able to hear an active smoke alarm.
• Use the test button on your smoke alarms to ensure everyone is familiar with the sound. The continuous high-decibel smoke alarm sounds may cause family members who are blind or who have low vision to become disoriented.
• Keep mobility devices such as walkers, canes, and wheelchairs in close proximity to sleeping locations, so they are easily accessible in case of an emergency. Keep a phone within reach, and practice getting outside of the home in less than two minutes.
• It may be safer for family members who require extra assistance to sleep in a ground floor bedroom to make exiting the home safer.
For more information, contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 596-3929.
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