Families should be prepared for any type of emergency that may occur in their home. In addition to having a first aid kit and emergency items like flashlights and bottled water, families should also prepare themselves in the event of a fire. Naturally, a family will want to have at least two fire extinguishers in the house for small fires, as well as working fire alarms (change the battery for fire alarms every six months or every year) located on both sides of any doorway in the home, namely the bedrooms. While many families are responsible enough to have these items in their home, many families forget to come up with a fire plan in the event of a fire-related emergency. Here are some tips when creating your family’s own personal fire plan.
* When designing your plan, when possible, each room of the home should have two possible escape routes. For example, a bedroom located on the first floor should have an escape route through the bedroom door, as well as an alternate escape route through any window in that room.
* Design both a primary and alternate fire plan for your home that takes into consideration the many possible exits of a home. Color code the plan labeling each exit in red with the word “Exit” labeled on it. You will make a fire plan for each room of the home, color coding that specific room’s multiple escape routes. Post these fire escape plans in their designated rooms and make sure that all family members know where to find the escape plans.
* The fire plan should always include a destination away from the home where your family will meet when they escape the house. The destination can be in front of a neighbor’s house or across the street. A destination is vital because you do not want your family members wandering around aimlessly if there is a fire. A destination will ensure that all of your family members can and will be accounted for, so there is no worry that somebody may still be trapped inside.
* A plan is nothing unless you take action to learn it by practicing, drilling and rehearsing. Sure, your teenage son may roll his eyes at you at the thought of having to pretend there is a fire and “escape” to your designated meeting place, but a little embarrassment now is nothing compared to the terror a family member might feel if a fire does occur and they have no idea what to do or where to go.
* Drill it into your family members’ heads that for no reason, whatsoever, should they stop along the way on their escape route to pick up anything, like purses or wallets or photo albums or backpacks. Any materialistic thing can be replaced, but a life cannot. Nothing is worth stalling for during an actual fire.
* All second or third floor rooms or attics should have an escape ladder located in the windows. These can be bought at most large stores or ordered online. These would be used in the event that a fire is located right outside a bedroom door and the only other way out is through a window.
* Teach your family to crawl low and quickly if there is smoke in the house. The cleanest air will be closer to the ground, as well as the clearest route.
* Remember grade school when your teachers taught you to stop, drop and roll? Now is the time to teach your own children the same concept. Let them know that if any part of their body catches on fire, they should not panic, but, instead, stop, drop and roll the flames out. This is also something that can be practiced when going over the fire plan.
