A Detroit father saves his family Wednesday morning after a fire breaks out at his home on the city’s east side.
His wife and daughter were trapped on the second floor.
The man, who is a roofer, saved them using a tall ladder.
We talked with Detroit Fire Captain Chris Dixon on the four life-saving actions everyone should remember.
First and most important: working smoke detectors.
Dixon says a working smoke detector on every floor and every bedroom is a must.
Our second life-saver is all about sleeping areas.
Captain Dixon says most fires happen overnight.
Always sleep with the door closed to keep a barrier should a fire start, have an escape ladder ready to use and do not have windows nailed shut or have bars on the outside.
“Put them on the inside and that they have a release latch so that they can open them,” Dixon said.
Coming in third, have a fire extinguisher ready to use.
“People will take the fire extinguisher and improperly place it right next to the stove, which is normally where you are going to have a fire,” he explained. “The fire extinguisher should be placed somewhere that you can retrieve the fire extinguisher before you get to the hazard area.”
Shoot about six to eight feet away from the flames and make sure you have a clear exit route.
“You don’t want to have the fire between you and the exit,” Dixon added. “If this fire extinguisher doesn’t work, all we have to do is sit it down and get out of the house.”
Finally, have a clear escape plan.
Keep staircases clear of toys and items.
There was a time we were told to have a meeting place in the front yard.
Captain Dixon says the plan now is the stay on the same side of the street, just a few houses down.
“We have gas explosions, you don’t want to be near your home, you want to be at least five houses away from your home.”
Captain Dixon says it’s good practice to have a fire drill at your home on a monthly basis to prepare your family in event of an emergency.
