Most fatal home fires occur between midnight and 8:00 a.m., when families are asleep. Toxic gases and extreme heat—often exceeding 1,000°F—rise quickly and can spread far ahead of visible flames. When a smoke alarm sounds, you may have less than 2½ minutes to escape.

Without a practiced escape plan, those minutes can be lost.

Operation E.D.I.T.H. (Exit Drills In The Home) is a simple, life-saving program designed to help families prepare and practice safe evacuation from a house fire.

Why E.D.I.T.H. Matters

• Fires grow rapidly and produce deadly smoke.

• Just one breath of hot gases can be fatal.

• Without working smoke alarms, occupants may never wake up.

• Practiced escape plans save lives.

Step 1: Plan Your Escape

Draw a Floor Plan

• Sketch an outline of your home or apartment.

• Create a drawing for each floor where people sleep.

• Label each bedroom.

• Mark stairs, hallways, and roofs that could serve as escape routes.

• Identify and mark a family meeting place outside the home.

Dimensions do not need to be exact—but every room and exit should be clearly shown.

Inspection Time

• Check each bedroom for the best emergency exit.

• Test windows to ensure they open easily and are large enough for escape.

• Confirm children can operate escape windows if needed.

• Check that smoke alarms are installed and functioning properly.

If you do not have smoke alarms, install them immediately.

Finish Your Plan

• Use arrows to mark your primary escape route.

• Use different colored arrows to show a secondary route in case the first is blocked.

• Ensure everyone has two ways out.

• Consider escape ladders for upper floors if necessary.

• Make sure security devices can be opened easily.

• Rearrange sleeping areas if needed to assist children, elderly, or disabled residents.

• Never use elevators during a fire emergency.

Step 2: The Family Meeting

Discuss your escape plan with all household members.

Key safety rules:

1. Sleep with bedroom doors closed. Closed doors slow the spread of smoke and heat.

2. Establish a family alarm signal (yell “FIRE!”, blow a whistle, pound on walls).

3. Do not waste time dressing or gathering valuables or pets.

4. Roll out of bed—do not sit up. Stay low.

5. Feel the door with the back of your hand. If hot, do not open it.

6. If safe, brace your shoulder against the door and open slowly.

7. Once outside, go directly to the family meeting place.

8. Call 9-1-1 from a safe location.

9. Once you are out—STAY OUT. Never re-enter for any reason.

Step 3: Practice the Drill

Practice makes response automatic.

Conduct a family fire drill at least twice per year.

During your drill:

1. Begin with everyone in their beds.

2. Activate the smoke alarm test button or simulate the alarm.

3. Roll out of bed and stay low.

4. Feel the door for heat before opening.

5. First drill: use the primary exit.

6. Second drill: pretend the primary exit is blocked and use the secondary route.

7. Meet at the designated location and confirm everyone is accounted for.

8. Assign someone to simulate calling 9-1-1.

9. Review the drill and make improvements if needed.

The more you practice, the faster and more confidently your family will respond in a real emergency.

Fire Emergency Survival Reminders

• Stay low under smoke. The cleanest air is near the floor.

• Do not open hot doors.

• Use your second way out if necessary.

• Never go back inside once you escape.

Upper Macungie Township Fire & Rescue Company

Our mission is to protect lives through prevention, preparedness, and response. Operation E.D.I.T.H. is one of the most effective ways families can prepare for the unexpected.

For more information about home fire escape planning, smoke alarm installation, or to request a community safety presentation, contact Upper Macungie Township Fire & Rescue Company’s Community Risk Reduction Division.