How to Create a Fire Escape Plan

11/28/2021 (Permalink)

How to Create a Fire Escape Plan

Is your family prepared in case of an emergency? Fire can break out at any time and is almost always unexpected. Protect your family by creating a fire escape plan that helps to ensure safety when necessary.

Involve the Entire Family

The entire family should be a part of making your household's escape plan. Go through each room together to determine which exits are viable and which need to be unblocked. If you have young children in the home, consider drawing a floor plan. On the plan, mark at least two exits per room. Use a different color to mark where the smoke detectors are. Hang the plan in each child's bedroom.

Account for Small Children and Pets

Remember, not everybody will be able to get out on their own. If you have toddlers, newborns, elderly or furry family members, account for them in your emergency escape plan. Does the dog usually sleep in the living room? Consider moving him closer to the bedrooms in case of fire in the middle of the night. In your plan, you must also decide who will get children or elderly family members during an emergency.

Designate a Meeting Place

Your fire escape plan should end with a designated meeting place. This meeting place makes it easier for you to count heads and determine if everyone made it out safely as you wait for the fire department. If you live in a neighborhood, use a trusted neighbor's house as the meeting place. If your home is rural, choose a tree or another landmark that is far enough away from the house to be safe but close enough that people won’t get lost trying to find it in the dark.

Once you are finished creating your plan, be sure to practice it. Have your family walk through your fire escape plan several times and from several different rooms in the home to ensure everyone knows what they should do in case of a real emergency.