WASHINGTON — A tragic house fire has generated new interest in planning emergency escapes at homes.
Last month, a couple and four of their grandchildren died in a mansion fire on Childs Point Road near Annapolis. Since then, the fire department says, more families and community groups have been interested in training.
“We’ve just seen a special interest now with the Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH) program,” says Capt. Russ Davies.
“It’s increased significantly since the fire on Childs Point Road,” he says. “I think just with that incident, it’s sort of raised the degree of vulnerability that people [feel].”
One of the primary teachings in the program is to prepare two exits from each room in the house.
The fire department recommends practicing the drills every three months, mixing in some variables.
Davies says especially for a family with young children, it may be helpful to conduct a drill after the kids are already asleep. That could simulate the grogginess of a nighttime fire escape.
