People with autism may be less able to help themselves than others in a fire emergency. It is difficult to predict how a person with autism will behave in a stressful situation. Advance preparation is critical.
- Working smoke alarms save lives. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area. For best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they will all sound.
- There are two types of smoke alarms – ionization and photoelectric. An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires. A photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of alarms or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms should be installed.
- Make sure everyone knows what your smoke alarms sound like and can hear the sound of the smoke alarms.
- Test your smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
- Have a fire safety plan to get out of your home quickly.
- Practice your plan with everyone in the home at least twice a year.
- Practice and project a demeanor of calm during drills to help keep people with autism calm.
- Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible.
- Windows or doors with security bars, grills, or window guards should have emergency release devices so they can be used for escape.
- Choose a meeting place a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet once they’ve escaped.
- Create a network of relatives, friends or neighbors to help if he or she needs additional help escaping or remaining at the meeting place.
- Contact your local fire department. Many fire departments maintain registers of persons with disabilities so that they can be located quickly in an emergency.
Source: NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)
