Practice home fire drills

To the editor:

"Rallying around the fire engines" was a very well-written article including some very good points with home safety in regards to fire and escape plans. If you do any further fire safety articles, please stress that practicing home drills is very important. The chain ladders are great but anyone in the household that may need to use them in an emergency must be able to deploy the ladder and climb down it. Practice under controlled conditions and supervision will greatly increase the survivability of a fire in the home. EDITH or Exit Drills In The Home using primary and secondary exits should be practiced and discussed with all members of the home.

ROBERT A. FRANCIS, fire safety inspector, Missouri Division of Fire Safety, Jefferson City