(NAPSA)—A few minutes of planning now can greatly improve the odds of your family surviving a fire. Fires can spread through homes in a matter of minutes— minutes in which you must realize there is a fire and escape. Fortunately, installing smoke detection devices and discussing escape routes can help save the lives of those you love. Following these safety tips from fire experts may prove to be a lifesaver. * Make sure that you have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home. * Pull together everyone in your household and make an escape plan. Walk through your homeand inspect all possible exits a and escape routes. * Choose an outside meeting place a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they've escaped. * Practice your home fire escape plan twice a year, making the drill as realistic as possible. In addition to creating prevention plans, some may want to invest in equipment designed to make it easier to get out of a building in the event the exits are blocked. One device endorsed by members of the New York City Fire Department is the LifeCender Personal Escape System from American Escape Systems, Inc. Described as a one-of-a-kind portable escape product, it was created to allow people to safely descend from a multi-story building. The system consists of a vest/ harness, a specially designed descending device with ultra-high strength rope and a speed control knob. Using the latest safety equipment endorsed by firefighting professionals can make it easier to escapea fire. The rope is said to be nearly twice as strong as stainless steel cable of the same thickness. While rope ladders require using both hands and feet to descend, the device operates automatically, leaving hands and feet free to move around any objects you may encounter during descent, such as window air conditioners and balconies. According to the maker, the device can’t tangle or sway in the wind while in use. Falling off is also not possible, since the user’s body is attached to the deviceitself. The manufacturer also makes a version of the device for firefighters. To learn more, go to www.life cender.com or call 888-201-1850.
