Significance

• Fire safety signs may direct building occupants to exits in fire emergencies, or announce areas of buildings that contain flammable appliances or gases. Flammable signs may be on containers of hairspray, or in areas of hospitals where flammable oxygen tanks are being used. Fire safety signs may also point to fire hoses, alarms, or fire extinguishers or alert firemen to which rooms of the home are children's bedrooms.
  
  

Identifying Factors

• Fire safety signs are usually bright in color or reflective, in order to draw immediate attention in emergencies. The fire safety signs placed in children's bedroom windows are metallic and reflective; making it easy for firefighters to identify a child's room from the outside of the home whether is daylight or dark. Capital letters and the colors red and white are used in many fire safety signs directing building occupants to exits, extinguishers, and alarms.
  
  

Types

• Fire safety signs also include operation signs advising building occupants how to use fire safety equipment like fire blankets, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and fire hoses. Directional fire safety signs point to fire safety equipment, alarms, and exits. Warning signs are those signs warning of flammable objects and materials and even the signs warning building occupants to avoid elevator use during a fire and instead to use the stairs.
  
  

Additional Signs

• Fire emergency evacuation maps are also a type of fire safety sign. All homes should include at least one fire evacuation map, while businesses should include several signs outlining emergency exits and possible paths to those exits. Fire evacuation maps are often required in homes where adopted or foster children are residing.
  
  

Considerations

• Always follow the directions of fire safety signs regarding proper use of fire devices and exiting a building in an emergency. These signs are placed for a reason, and that reason is to prevent further danger from occurring during a fire. Fire safety signs provide directions for people who may not already be aware of how to conduct themselves safely in a fire emergency.