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Simple Family Safety Plan

These days, most homes are equipped with smoke detectors, but to be truly prepared for a possible fire, every family should establish a comprehensive fire safety plan.
"The fact that fire and burns continue to be a leading cause of home injury and death is a sign that we all need to take a more proactive role in our own safety," said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council, the only national non-profit organization solely dedicated to preventing home related injuries. Don't know where to start? Check out these tips:

By Lisa Lombardi

These days, most homes are equipped with smoke detectors, but to be truly prepared for a possible fire, every family should establish a comprehensive fire safety plan.
"The fact that fire and burns continue to be a leading cause of home injury and death is a sign that we all need to take a more proactive role in our own safety," said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council, the only national non-profit organization solely dedicated to preventing home related injuries. Don't know where to start? Check out these tips:

Stock up on smoke alarms
You need at least one per level of your home. "We have both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor, which is important since we have a gas stove and dryer," says Patty Gloeckler of New York City, who is married to a firefighter and has a two-and-a-half-year-old son. Why are multiple smoke detectors crucial? A recent study from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a federal agency that develops and promotes technology to enhance productivity and improve the quality of life, shows that you have less than three minutes to escape if a fire occurs. "So early warning from smoke alarms is critical," says Appy. And make sure to replace the batteries once you hear those telltale beeps: Alarms can't warn you if the batteries are dead.
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