Close the door on fire! with helpful tipsPella Corporation's public awareness campaign helps save lives

Release Date: 10-09-2006

Nearly 3,500 fire fatalities are reported in the United States each year, and most of those fatalities - 90 percent - occur in homes. Despite those facts, only about 25 percent of families have developed and practiced a plan for exiting the home safely in case of a fire. Many home fires occur as temperatures drop and families spend more time indoors, lighting candles and fires, and using heating, cooking and other appliances. Most home cooking fires occur when ovens, stoves or other appliances are left unattended when in use. For greater safety, never leave appliances unattended when cooking.Before and during Fire Prevention Week, October 8-14, 2006, Pella Corporation's Close the door on fire! campaign provides consumers with vital safety information and fire prevention tips.

Egress Windows Save Lives

"Taking a few minutes each year to reduce potential fire hazards and plan and practice a home fire safety escape route can help you protect what's most important--your loved ones," said Kathy Krafka Harkema, Pella fire safety expert.

The top 10 steps to fire safety featured in Pella's Close the door on fire! program are:

1. Have a plan! Draw a floor plan of each level of your home. Download a grid from www.pella.com/resources/pdf/FireEscapeGrid.pdf. Pick a meeting place a safe distance outside your home for everyone to gather in the event of a fire.
2. Identify two exits! Designate two exits from every room in your home - a door and a window. Make sure doors and windows open quickly and easily to help ensure a quick exit; if not, consider replacing them for safety's sake.
3. Use smoke alarms! Install working smoke alarms in or near every bedroom and on every level of your home. Test alarms monthly, change batteries regularly, and replace alarms every 10 years for greater safety.
4. Make a quick exit! Keep rooms neat and furniture and clutter away from doors and windows to help prevent falls and permit a quick exit if necessary.
5. Test the alarm! Sound the smoke alarms when household members are awake so everyone knows what they sound like and what to do in the event of an emergency.
6. Know the number! Make sure everyone in your household knows how to call emergency personnel.
7. Give yourself an out! In the event of fire, choose the closest and safest exit route to get out quickly and stay out. Avoid going through smoke or flames if possible.
8. Stay low and go! To escape from a burning home, crawl out quickly on your hands and knees to help avoid smoke and fumes near the floor.
9. Once you're out, stay out! NEVER go back into a burning building. Stay safe. Go to your designated meeting place safely outside your home and call for help.
10. Practice! Practice your home fire escape plan with everyone in your home at least twice a year.

Pella's Close the door on fire! safety brochure includes additional tips on creating a home escape plan, establishing escape routes within the home, installing and maintaining smoke alarms, and practicing escape plans. The free brochure can be obtained by calling 866-829-9050. Additional information about home fire safety and the Close the door on fire! campaign can be found at www.pella.com/about/fire.asp.

About Pella
Celebrating 81 years in business, Pella Corporation has long been recognized in the window and door industry for its technology and innovation, having earned more than 100 product and design patents. In addition to windows and patio doors, the company also manufactures entry door systems with the same level of quality and technology for which Pella is known worldwide. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the company is represented by select building materials retailers and a Direct Sales network operating Pella® Window & Door Stores nationwide. For more information on choosing windows or doors to enhance your new construction, remodeling or replacement project, visit a local Pella® Window & Door Store. To locate a store nearest you, call 888-84-PELLA or visit http://www.pella.com/.