OFFICES CAN BURN. ..PLAN YOUR ESCAPE

If you become trapped in an office by smoke or heat and are unable to reach an exit. the Brunswick Fire Department reminds you to close the door and seal off any cracks. Turn off ventilation systems. Go to a window and open it for air and rescue. Stay low. Don't panic or jump. Wait for help.

Evacuation procedures vary with each building. Alarms may signal to leave the building and relocate at a specific area. Get a copy of the fire escape plan for your area. Practice leaving by the emergency routes. Count doors to exit stairways. You may need to find them in the dark. If power is lost or smoke is thick, you won't be able to see the exit sign above. Follow these evacuation rules.

Plan now. Know your exits.

• Don't use the elevator in a fire. Power may fail and you may be trapped, or the heat of the fire may bring the elevator to the fire floor and open the doors.
• If smoke or heat is present, stay low. Crawl and cover your mouth.
• When the alarm sounds, leave immediately. Call the fire department, unless you know someone else has already done so.
• If trapped, close doors and wait at windows. Signal for help by hanging something out the window. Do not break windows if they can be opened. If smoke enters from the outside, you will need to close them. People have survived for a long time in burning high-rise buildings by keeping a level head and remaining near the window, low to the floor, covering themselves and taking shallow breaths.
• Know where fire alarms are and how to use them.
• Don't fight the fire. Get out and stay out and sound the alarm.

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