Basic Home Fire Escape Plan

10/5/2017 (Permalink)

When it comes to fire safety, there is no better way to prepare than having a solid fire escape plan.

No one plans for a fire to break out inside of or near their home. Home electrical fires account for close to 500 deaths and over 1,400 injuries each year. In addition, home electrical fires cost billions of dollars in property damage annually. As such, preparing and planning an emergency escape strategy is critical to protecting you and your loved ones in the event of an unexpected home fire. First and foremost, your home should be inspected for working smoke alarms in every room. In addition, you must create a specific evacuation plan, practice fire drills, and make sure that your entire family is well-versed in what to do in the event of an emergency.

Keep in mind the following pieces of advice when developing and deploying your personal home fire escape plan:

1. Keep all exits unblocked (both doors and windows throughout the house)
2. Make an escape route for each individual room in the home
3. Smoke alarms should be placed in every room, on every level of the home, and outside of any sleeping area
4. Walk through your escape plan with entire family
5. Choose a location a safe distance away from your home as your family’s meeting place
6. Memorize the fire department’s emergency phone number, make sure your family does as well
7. Assign a capable adult to be in charge of any infants, elderly people, or anyone that lacks mobility and would require assistance in an emergency
8. Take every smoke alarm signal seriously and evacuate immediately
9. Inform guests or visitors in your home of the fire escape plan
10. Never go back into a burning building before being cleared from the firefighters on the scene

Creating a home fire escape plan is absolutely essential for everyone. Whether you live in a single-family home or a high-rise apartment building, be sure to prepare yourself for the steps that would be taken in the event of a fire. When it comes to fire safety, there is no better way to prepare than having a solid fire escape plan.