Yuma, Arizona - According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there were over 367,500 residential fires in 2014. Are you and your family ready to react if there is a fire in your home? What would you do? Your children practice fire drills in school every month. They know what to do when the fire alarm goes off at school, but that does not mean they know what to do at home.

We would like to introduce you to E.D.I.T.H. (Exit-Drills-In-The-Home). E.D.I.T.H. can help you be prepared to react in a fire emergency in your home. Here are three easy steps to being better prepared:

1. Survey your home. Look for alternate ways out of every room and where you would go if one way was blocked.

2. Make a plan based on what you have found. You can even draw a floor plan of your house showing where all your emergency exits are. Be sure to identify a place where everyone will meet once they get out. This way, you will be able to tell firefighters that everyone is safe, or if someone is missing.

3. Practice your plan with all those who live in the home. This helps children to know what to do. A fire is a frightening experience, and too often children will hide under beds or in closets if they don’t know what else to do. That response is very dangerous.

Smoke Alarms save lives. Batteries should be replaced at least once a year and alarms tested monthly. Combine these tests with doing home fire drills and your children will be more likely to recognize the sound of the alarm and take the proper action in a real emergency.

Don’t forget Saturday October 15th from 9 am until noon there will be a Fire Prevention week Open House at the Public Safety Training Facility, 3575 S. Avenue 4E. Free Admission, displays, demonstrations, refreshments. Come meet your Yuma Fire Department! For more information, contact the Yuma Fire Department Public Information Office at (928) 373-4855.