Looking to ensure your family stays as safe as possible in the event of a fire? Even the most careful homeowners could find themselves in this scenario, so taking every possible precaution is a must. By creating a fire escape route, you will ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency situation, and no one will be left wasting valuable seconds or minutes figuring their way out of the home.
If you aren’t sure where to start with this process, follow these guidelines. If you have further questions or are concerned that your fireplace or dryer vents may be putting your home at risk, reach out to the team here at Sweeps & Ladders today! We’re always happy to help.
Walk Through Your Home & Make A Plan
First things first, you’ll need to make a plan of how to effectively escape each area of the house. Go through each room and have family members consider possible ways to get out. Figure out the most obvious and quickest path, then look for alternative routes, in case the primary option is blocked.
If the doors and windows are locked up at night (which is the case with most families) make certain everyone knows how to unlock them and have them practice doing so. Along with this, designate specific people to grab any infants, toddlers, or elders who may struggle to escape the home on their own. Assign a back-up person to take over if the first in line is out of the house at the time of the drill or fire.
While you’re at it, make sure there are smoke detectors in all sleeping rooms, hallways, and on every level of the home and make sure to regularly switch out the batteries!
Pick An Outdoor Meeting Place
Once your escape plan is finalized, you’ll need to pick an appropriate spot to meet outdoors. This way everyone will know exactly where to go, and if someone is missing you’ll know immediately that they are still trapped inside of the home. This makes it easy to account for everybody in an actual emergency, giving you the ability to ensure everyone is safe before taking the next appropriate steps.
Memorize Important Phone Numbers
Have the emergency fire station number memorized, so you don’t have to waste time looking it up later. Many have it saved in their phones, but if you don’t have time to grab your cell, you’ll still be able to easily dial from a neighbor’s telephone in no time. In a situation like this, every second counts, especially if family members are still trapped in the home!
Practice, Practice, Practice!
So, what’s left to do after getting everything else done? Practice! Practice your plan, so that no one has to think twice about what to do or where to go. You could even let your little ones know that you plan to do a drill sometime in the night so that they know what to expect if they’re woken by an alarm.
All in all, a day or two spent getting your fire escape plan figured out could make all the difference when it comes to keeping your family safer. Get started on yours today!
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