Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH)

It's 4:00 AM, your smoke detectors are ringing and there's smoke in your home.  Do you and your loved ones know what to do?  Now is not the time to figure it out - have a home fire safety plan before an emergency occurs!

Luckily, the smoke was caused by an oil burner malfunction, the fire department arrived and cleared your home of smoke and fumes.  The fire chief says, "It's a good thing you have working smoke detectors in your house and everyone got out."  You thank him, then realize that this time you all got lucky and managed to evacuate, but it wasn't easy.  When you ask him how it could have went better, he mentions, "EDITH."

What is EDITH?

EDITH is the acronym for "Exit Drills In The Home," a way for firefighters to educate the public on the importance of knowing their home escape plan in the event of a fire or other emergency.  At minimum, this plan should include;

· At least two ways out of every room in your house (doors and windows).

· Stay low and go to the nearest exit.

· Feel closed doors with the back of your hand (if hot do not open! & go to the second exit).

· Get out and stay out!

· Have a meeting place outside away from your home. (A tree, mailbox, etc.)

· Call 911 from your neighbor’s house or cell phone.

· Have a fire drill at least twice a year.

For more information, or help developing a Home Escape Plan,

contact us at (914) 271-2693 or email info@crotonfd.org