• Purchase safety equipment such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and safety ladders.
  
  
• Make sure family members know how to use the equipment.
  
  
• Place the equipment in the appropriate locations based on manufacturer’s recommendations.
  
  
• Chart out a fire escape plan with family members by taking into account the different escape routes.
  
  
• Teach children 911.
  
  
• Place important documents in a fire safe.
  

Create an Escape Plan

• Check out firesafety.gov for citizens for help developing an escape plan.
  
  
• Plan and rehearse two escape plans at least twice a year.
  
  
• Make a floor plan of the house and circle the escape routes.
  
  
• Choose a safe place to meet.
  
  
• Make safety an every day practice.

What to do in case of a fire?

• Contact the fire department.
  
  
• Get everyone out of the house.
  
  
• Do not go back into the house to get your pets or personal belongings.
  
  
• Keep household members together.

What to do after a fire?

• Contact your agent or New York Central Mutual toll free 888-234-6926 to report your claim. Find your agent here.
  
  
• Contact a local disaster relief agency for assistance.
  
  
• Keep track of receipts for your claim.
  
  
• Do not go into the house until it is determined to be safe.
  
  
• Attempt to locate personal and medical information when it is safe to enter the home.
  
  
• Contact people who need to know like police agencies, utility companies, post office and mortgage companies.