How To Prepare a Home Escape Plan?

8/19/2021 (Permalink)

An escape plan can save your family's life and yours from a house fire in Salt Lake City, UT.

No one wants to think a house fire can happen to them, but the reality is that over 350,000 house fires occur in the United States every year. Having a fire escape plan in place can help ensure that your family stays safe if this happens to you.

Make Sure Everyone Is Included in Your Plan

Include all members of your household in your emergency escape plan. Pay particular attention to household members who may have special needs:

• Young children
• Elderly family members
• People with disabilities
• Guests
• Pets

Children and family members with a hearing impairment may not wake when a fire alarm goes off. Assign an adult family member to alert them. If you have family members with mobility issues or disabilities that may impair their ability to execute an escape plan, assign someone to assist them. Keep pet essentials, such as leashes or cat carriers, stored along your escape route. Assign a family member to look for your pet and attempt to evacuate it. If you can not get your pet out, leave the door open and call for it. Make sure your guests are familiar with your escape plan.

Plan Two Escape Routes

Smoke or flames may make your primary escape route impassable, so your fire escape plan should include two ways out of every room. The primary exit from most rooms is the door. The most common secondary exit is a window. Make sure both exits open easily and that any security devices have an emergency release.

Pick a Meeting Spot

Decide on a location outside your home where your family members will gather so that you can make sure everyone made it out. The location should be in front of the house so that emergency responders can see you. Common choices include a neighbor's house, mailbox, or street sign. Instruct your family members that no one is to go back into the house once they have escaped.

Make Sure Your Smoke Alarms Work

Periodically test your smoke alarms to make sure they work. You should install a smoke alarm in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping room, and on every level of your home.

Stress Quick Response Times

Make sure your family knows that if the fire alarm goes off they must immediately exit the house. Practice your plan at least once every year to make sure everyone can execute it quickly and correctly.

Create a Backup Plan

If one or more family members can not exit through either of the planned escape routes, instruct them to close all doors between themselves and the fire. They should also put a towel under the door and then go to an exterior facing window and call the fire department to report their location.

Plan for After the Fire

Once everyone is safe, have a plan for beginning the restoration process. Call your insurance company to file a claim. You may need a fire restoration company in Salt Lake City, UT, to assist with cleanup.

The most important thing to do if a fire happens is make sure everyone gets out safely. Having a fire escape plan in place will increase your chances of avoiding injury or loss of life.