How To Design Your Own Fire Escape Plan
Here are the easy steps to follow to Make Your Home Escape Plan:
1. Get your family together and draw a floor plan of your home. Mark all windows and doors.
2. Plan two ways out of each bedroom. The first way out should be the door, and the second way out could be a window.
3. Make sure windows can be opened easily. In a two-story building, plan your escape through a window onto a roof or porch. If you must use an escape ladder, be sure everyone knows how to use it. Children should practice this with an adult present.
4. Choose a meeting place for all the family members outside the home and mark it on the floor plan. A good meeting place would be a tree, telephone pole or a neighbor’s home. Call the Fire Department 9-1-1. Never re-enter a burning house.
5. Meet the fire trucks and tell firefighters whether everyone is out of the house.
6. Make sure everyone understands the planned escape routes.
7. Practice your escape plan, at least twice a year. Remember, if you see smoke on your way out use your second exit. If you must escape through smoke, crawl low under it where the air is cleaner. Have family members practice using their second way out as well as their primary route.
Install smoke alarms outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of the home. Sleep with bedroom doors closed and make sure everyone can hear the smoke alarms, or consider installing one in the bedroom. If a fire starts, a closed door can give valuable minutes of protection against flame, smoke and toxic gases. Feel doors before opening, if they are hot, use your alternate route. Test smoke alarms monthly.
If your door feels cool, open it just a crack to check for smoke. If there is none, leave by your planned escape route. Remember to crawl low and keep your head down. Cleaner air is nearer to the ground. When following your escape route, be sure to close doors behind you.
If you live in an apartment, use the stairs - never use an elevator in case of fire. The elevator could take you to the floor where the fire is burning. If fire blocks your exit, close your apartment door and cover all cracks around doors and vents where smoke could enter, using wet towels if possible. Telephone the fire department, even if the firefighters are already at the building, and tell them where you are. Wave a sheet or towel from an open window and shout for help so that firefighters can find you.
If your clothes catch fire, STOP where you are. DROP to the ground and ROLL over and over to put out the flames. DO NOT RUN. Running will only increase the flames.
Teach small children NEVER to hide under beds or in closets.
Take your children to a neighboring firehouse to see the equipment and protective gear firefighters use, so they won’t be frightened of firefighters during a rescue.
Filed under: Safety Tips