Basics to Include in a Fire Escape Plan

10/13/2019 (Permalink)

A fire escape plan ensures that everyone understands what to do and where to go

While smoke detectors are imperative for alerting you and your family in Greenlake ,WA, of a home fire, what happens next is key to safely getting out of the home. A fire escape plan ensures that everyone understands what to do and where to go. After developing a plan, it is important to practice it and discuss it regularly.

Steps for Developing a Plan

Fires spread quickly. If one happens, you need peace of mind that every person in the home knows exactly what to do. As a family, making a fire preparation plan should involve the following:

Inspect home for potential escape routes and exits. Consider creating a floor plan with those exits, as well as discussing the best ones depending on the location a person is located during the fire. The best route should be the safest and fastest.
Once routes have been established, keep them clear and ensure openings to the outdoors work properly.
Have an open discussion on what to do during the fire. Everyone should stay low while heading to their escape route and close doors behind then to maintain the fire.
While belongings are important, they aren’t as important as life. Ensure everyone understands that getting out safely is the one and only priority.
Determine a meeting place outside the home that is far enough from the fire but clearly visible.
Maintain and memorize a list of emergency contacts.
Once safely out, stay way from the fire. Let emergency responders do what they need to.

Maintaining the Plan

Having a plan is important, but it will only work if people know it. It is recommended to test the plan twice a year. Practicing is also a good way to ensure that everyone clearly hears what the alarm will sound like. If someone is not able to hear at as well, assign a person to be in charge of waking them in case of a real emergency. Additionally, when you have guests, especially ones staying overnight, be sure to share the fire escape plan with them.
While we all hope a fire doesn’t happen, having a fire escape can help ensure everyone’s safety. Instead of worrying about belongings, get everyone out safely and leave the fire damage to the professionals.