This is fire safety week. With more people living in high rise apartments and condos its important to know what to do if a fire occurs in your building.

Here is how to best protect yourself and those around you:

If there is a Fire in your Unit

• Close but do not lock the doors as you leave
• Pull the fire alarm on your floor
• Leave the building using the nearest stairway
• Call 911 once you are in a safe spot
• Meet firefighters to tell term where fire is located

What to do when you Hear the Fire Alarm

• If possible leave the building as soon as possible
• If you have to stay in your unit you will need to take steps to protect yourself from the smoke

What to do if you Leave your Unit

• Check the door to your unit. If it or the door knob are hot do not open it and stay in the unit
• Do not open the door if there is smoke entering from around the door
• Do not use the elevator. Instead use a stairway that is smoke free

If you Stay in your Unit

• Keep smoke from entering your unit using duck tape to seal cracks around the door and vents
• Place wet towels at the bathroom of the door
• Call 911 to tell them what unit you are stuck in
• Move to the balcony closing but not locking the door behind you
• If you do not have a balcony go to the most smoke free room
• Keep low to the floor where the air is cleaner
• Listen for instructions from authorities