Idaho Falls house fire shows the importance of a fire emergency plan

The Valentine’s Day house fire in Idaho Falls could have been a lot worse than it was. While the garage is a complete loss, the rest of the home is intact, and more importantly no one was injured or killed in the incident.

Several neighbors who live next to the burning home had an emergency plan, and a place to go in events like this one.

“We have a list of neighbors you go to,” said Dan Beck, who lives across the street from the house that caught fire. “We let our neighbors across the street know that in case something happens, our kids are going over there, and I know they have similar plans for their kids with us.”

Those neighbors used that plan when the house next door caught fire. Beck said many of their kids were over at his place for most of the night, something they had agreed on years ago.

“It’s a great thing to sit down with your neighbors and say, ‘Hey, if something happens this is what we want to do,” said Beck.

The Idaho Falls Fire Department said having a plan is key, as it makes their job easier if everyone in the burning structure is accounted for.

“Families need to have a place outside the home to meet,” said Paul Radford, the Battalion Chief for the Idaho Falls Fire Department. “That way they can account for everyone in their family quickly.”

The American Red Cross has a fairly comprehensive fire emergency plan on their website found HERE. Below are some of the tips and steps they give to keep your home and family safe.

Prevent

Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters. Never smoke in bed. Talk to your children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach. Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Have Working Smoke Alarms

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Teach your children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one. Test smoke alarms once a month, if they’re not working, change the batteries. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. Never disable smoke or carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

Fire Escape Planning

Ensure that all household members know two ways toescapefrom every room of your home. If a room is on a second floor or a basement, make sure rooms have escape ladders to ensure available use. Make sure everyone knows where to meet outside in case of fire. Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1. Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

During an emergency, follow the plan

During a home fire, remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency phone number. If closed doors or handles are warm, use your second way out. Never open doors that are warm to the touch. Crawl low under smoke. Go to your outside meeting place and then call for help. If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.

What to do immediately after the fire

Have injuries treated by a medical professional. Wash small wounds with soap and water. To help prevent infection of small wounds, use bandages and replace them if they become soiled, damaged or waterlogged. Remain calm. Pace yourself. You may find yourself in the position of taking charge of other people. Listen carefully to what people are telling you, and deal patiently with urgent situations first. Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter. Anyone entering your damaged home should wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toed rubber-soled shoes or boots and work gloves, plus dust masks, safety goggles and/or a hard hat when necessary.