Survive a Fire

The First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability (FTAAAD), in conjunction with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and other First Tennessee area service agencies, has put together a disaster preparedness guide specifically for Tennesseans age 60 and older.  

Increase Your Chances 

• Prepare escape plans (including escape routes from each room of your dwelling) to a predetermined designated meeting place, and communicate these plans to everyone in your home.
• Maintain your smoke detectors. You should have more than one, test them often, and change their batteries at least once a year.
• Maintain a packet of important documents, information, and valuables (or at least copies of the documents) in a safe-deposit box or a fire-proof container.

During a Fire

• Evacuate as soon as possible. 
• If smoke is present, drop to the floor and crawl (the cleanest air is near the floor).
• Check the temperature of any door before it is opened. If the door is hot to the touch, find another way to escape the dwelling.
• If your clothing catches on fire:  Stop, drop to the floor and roll until the fire is out.  
• Never go back into a burning building.
• Call 911 from a nearby location.