By REBECCA SLOAN

By REBECCA SLOAN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
It's a heart-stopping moment.
You step into the kitchen to find a fire has started on the stove.
At the sight of the black smoke and bright, orange flames, panic swells in your chest.
What should you do?
Should you reach for a fire extinguisher?
Should you call 911?
Should you run for the door?
"People need to have a comprehensive plan of action before a fire actually starts," said Walter Duzzny, director of the Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency. "If you wait until the moment of crisis to think about what you have to do, you're more likely to panic."
If you and your family don't already have a plan of action, there's no time like the present to form one.
After all, fire safety week starts today.
"Every family should sit down together at least once and talk about what to do in the event of a fire," said Lt. Tom Roberts of the Boardman Fire Prevention Bureau. "There are important questions families should ask themselves."
Fire extinguishers
One of the first questions to ask is this: If a fire started right now in your home, would you know how to operate your fire extinguisher?
Better yet, would you even know where to find your fire extinguisher?
"A fire extinguisher is something people tend to stash in the basement and forget about," Duzzny said. "Instead of tucking it away, it should be easily accessible."
Roberts said every home should have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, the garage and near each fireplace.
"You should also have fire extinguishers inspected every six years to make sure they are operable. Also make sure kids haven't stuffed anything into the nozzles," Roberts said.
Remember too that fire extinguishers will squelch small blazes only.
"In the event of a large fire, leave it to the fire department and get out of the house," Roberts said.
Smoke detectors
Besides fire extinguishers, smoke detectors also deserve attention.
"Smoke detectors should be installed on every level of your home and outside of every sleeping area," Roberts said.
As part of routine maintenance, homeowners should keep smoke detectors dust-free, test smoke detectors once a month and change batteries at least once a year.
Duzzny recommends asking someone from the local fire department to walk through your home and give pointers on where to place smoke detectors.
"Every home's floor plan is different, and the best places for smoke detectors will vary for each home," Duzzny said.
For example, if your home has cathedral ceilings, you should mount smoke detectors on a side wall within three feet of reach.
Duzzny also recommends installing an outdoor fire alarm that either lights up or makes a noise.
"If you aren't at home or you are outside, how will you know if your smoke detector is beeping? If you have a fire alarm mounted outside, you or a neighbor will know to call the fire department in the event of a fire," Duzzny said.
Getting out of the house
Fire extinguishers and smoke detectors can save lives in the early stages of a blaze, but what if the flames have already engulfed a portion of your home and you and your family are still inside?
"You and your family must have a planned escape route," Roberts said. "You should prepare a floor plan that shows at least two ways out of every room."
Homeowners should invest in easy-to-use, inexpensive window escape ladders to help ensure safe exits from upstairs bedroom windows.
Families should also agree on a fixed outdoor location where they can meet for a head-count after they've fled the home.
Since smoke inhalation is a swift and stealthy killer, Roberts recommends sleeping with bedroom doors closed.
"This will help hold back heat and smoke. We always tell people to feel the door to check if it's hot. It if is, don't open it. Place a towel along the bottom of the door to keep smoke out, and escape through the window," Roberts said.