EDITH
Exit drills in the home, sometimes called “EDITH,” are an important part of your family’s safety. Just as schools practice fire drills, so should families at home.

Preparing a plan
Follow these steps to create an effective exit plan for your home:

• Plan for two means of exit from every bedroom.
• Make an actual drawing of your floor plan with the exit routes clearly marked.
• Everyone should know how to get out and where to meet once outside. Designate one meeting spot at a safe distance from the home and make sure everyone is accounted for.
• Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of their smoke alarms and knows to yell for family members as they make their escape.
• Emphasize such things as staying low in smoky and hot environments, touching doors to test them for heat before opening them, and not hiding in spots that can make it difficult for firefighters to find them, if they are unable to escape on their own.
• Emphasize the rule that no one goes back in the home once they’re outside. Instead, tell the firefighters as they arrive if someone or a pet is still inside. Going back in just adds another victim to the emergency.
• Practice fire drills, preferably at night after everyone is asleep, to make it as realistic as possible. Time yourself and look for ways to safely improve.

For more information, contact the Lenexa Fire Department at 913.888.6380. Brochures about “EDITH” are also available.