Fire Prevention Week 2019

“Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!”

This year’s theme focuses on escape planning. Did you know that you may have as little as two minutes to escape your home from the time the smoke alarm sounds? Make sure everyone in your home knows what to do in a fire and is prepared to escape quickly and safely.

Tips for making a home escape plan:

• Everyone in your home must know how to call 911 to report an emergency, and have 911 programmed in their phone. Make sure everyone knows their building’s address and that it is visible from the street.
• Map out the layout of your home showing two ways out (e.g. door and window) of each room. Make sure that all windows and doors open easily.  
• Mark the location of the smoke alarms on the map. There should be one on each level, in each bedroom, and near all sleeping areas. Remember to put new batteries in your smoke alarms when you change your clocks (twice a year)!
• Pick a meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone will meet upon exiting.

Remember to practice your plan with all members of your household at least twice a year!

For more information or questions about fire safety at CUIMC contact:
Facilities Fire Safety (Available 24/7 via Public Safety) 
cumcfiresafety@columbia.edu                                                                                 

In an emergency, always call CUIMC Public Safety at (212) 305-7979.