It is extremely important that every home have a fire escape route in case fire breaks out in your home. Fire is deadly and it is best to be prepared in case it ever happens to your home. You never know when it could occur. Fire can strike at anytime and most often, there is no pre-warning that it’s going to happen. That is why it is important to keep certain things in mind.
Here are some things to remember when planning a fire escape route for your home:
Entire Family- The entire family should be part of the escape route plan in case of fire. There are several reason that all family members be involved in the process. The most important one is that when you plan something yourself, you remember the details better. Include the children in the planning as well. This allows more opportunity for the possibility of better ideas for the route.
Babies- When you have a baby in the house, don’t forget to decide how you will get to the baby in case there is a fire. If the baby is in a separate room and there is a fire, you could be blocked from getting into the room from a door. Is there another way into the room? If not, you may want to reconsider where you have set up the nursery. It could be the difference between saving your baby’s life and losing your baby in a tragic fire.
Two Routes- If at all possible, make sure there are two possible fire escape routes for each person in the household. Fire escape routes can become overcome by fire blocking someone in. Don’t leave any member of your home with the fear of being trapped by fire. Find a way to make sure that everyone can get out in more than one way. If necessary, purchase escape ladders so that the windows become a viable way to escape upstairs rooms in the event of a fire.
Meeting Place- All family members need to be aware of their role in escaping in case there is a fire. There should be a meeting place outside the home so all family members can be accounted for. This is a basic lesson that we learn in elementary school fire drills. It ensures that everyone is safe and that no one will need to be rescued. If someone is missing, report it to the fire personnel so they can make rescue efforts to save the person that may still be inside the home.
No Returning- It is important that all family members be aware of this important rule. Once you are outside of a home that is on fire, never re-enter the scene. Rescue workers will do everything they can to get the fire out and any possible people or animals left in the home. Going back into a burning building once you have escaped is like committing suicide. It is one of the most dangerous things you can do in the event of a fire in your home.
Practice the Drill- Practice the fire escape route with your family at least once a month. Go through the drill several times so that everyone is well versed in how to escape the home if a fire should occur. Use all possible methods for getting out of the home. Teach everyone how to detect if a fire is right outside their bedroom door. This can be done by touching the door. If the door is hot, do not open it. That is when the use of the drop down ladder will come in handy. Time the process to see how long it takes everyone to get out of the house safely and to the proper meeting place.
The Real Deal- Everyone in the family should be aware that when a real fire occurs, things will be a little different. When you know there is real danger lurking, you react differently. You can’t practice keeping cool headed when it comes to a life threatening emergency. It is important to try to get the point across that the calmer everyone is, the safer your family will be if something does occur.
Don’t forget these important points when you are planning a fire escape route from your home. Having a plan of emergency can save the lives of everyone in your home. Make sure that all smoke alarms are in proper working order and make sure that your family is well aware of the plans to escape when a fire invades your home.
