Two Minutes.

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Two minutes doesn’t seem like a lot of time. It slips by quickly with little significance on any given day. During a fire, a lot can happen in just two minutes. According to the Red Cross, you may have as little as two minutes to escape if a fire starts in your home. Two minutes doesn’t seem very impactful until your home is on fire, then it can mean life or death. Time is of the essence. Every moment of notice you can get is a better chance of survival. Early warnings make all the difference. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your property as well as both inside and outside of the bedrooms. Sprinklers and smoke alarms together cut your risk of dying in a home fire by 82% in relation to having neither. Alarms should be tested monthly and be equipped with fresh batteries. Preparation ahead of time can significantly impact your chances of survival. Making a fire escape plan is a great first step. Communicate with all household members about evacuation points and where to meet when you get outside. Once you get out, stay out! Do not go back in for people, pets, or things. Smoke is just as dangerous and destructive as fire and can wreak havoc on the human body. Avoid smoke inhalation, if at all possible, by staying low to the ground and moving quickly to the closest evacuation point. Remember, you have two minutes to get to safety if a fire starts. Practice your fire safety and escape plan and execute fire drills twice a year. Time your fire drills! A lot can happen in two minutes. Make sure you and your family are prepared, have adequate warning devices, and are equipped with the proper knowledge and empowerment to escape safely!