What would you do if your smoke detector sounded? What would your family do?

It’s important to make sure everyone in your family knows what to do in case of a fire. That includes knowing what your smoke alarm sounds like -- test it monthly.

Whether you’re watching television or sleeping when the alarm sounds, your first concern should be reaching safety as soon as possible. If there is fire in your house, you're in great danger. Get out first, then call us from a neighbor’s phone.

If a smoke detector wakes you in the middle of the night, roll out of bed onto the floor. If there is smoke in your room, the air will be cooler and cleaner near the floor. Crawl to the door. If it’s closed, feel it with the back of your hand, and if it’s hot, you’ll need to have another way out – such as a window. Stuff blankets under the door to keep smoke from entering through the cracks. If you have a safety ladder – which you should if the room is above the first floor – crawl out the window and go to your family’s pre-assigned meeting place, such as the mailbox or the big tree near the street. There you can take roll. If someone is left inside, tell us when we get there. Never go back into a burning building.

If you can’t get out of a window, hang a sheet out the window or shine a flashlight through it to let us know you’re up there. Or call 9-1-1 and tell the dispatcher exactly where you are -- they'll relay the information to us. Rescuing trapped residents is our first priority -- even before we fight the fire. We’ll be there to help as soon as we arrive. Make sure your children or elderly parents know these signals. They’re less likely to be able to escape without help.

If you can get out of the room, crawl to the nearest exit. Don’t stop for anything. Once you’re out of the house, head to your family’s meeting place.