Planning an emergency escape route can save your family’s life someday. When a fire breaks out in the middle of the night, you don’t have very much time to react. What if you are unable to get to your children; would they know what to do? Or what will happen if there is someone in the house who is disabled or very old and can’t get around without a walker? If you have a babysitter, would he or she know what to do or who to call? You should also prepare your family to go to a special room so they will be safe if someone is trying to break in your house. These are situations that you need to plan for ahead of time so an emergency will not take you by surprise and lead to problems or even loss of life.
The first step for planning an emergency escape route is to go though your house with a pencil and paper to map out at least two different routes from each floor. Start in your child’s bedroom and sketch an exit route in case the door is blocked. Make sure you show him or her how to open windows, taking into consideration the child’s size. Have your son or daughter practice opening windows in front of you to see if it can be done quickly and correctly. Then designate a spot where everyone should meet after leaving the house; for example, by the front porch or behind the patio.
The next step is to plan an exit strategy for each family member. Everyone should know how to get out of the bedroom or any other part of the house in case the doorway is blocked or unsafe. Make sure a ladder is easily available to the person who will need it. You can buy a foldable metal ladder that will easily store under the bed or in a closet. Remember to consider a person’s age, height, or disability when planning an alternative exit. Check to see if windows are painted shut and can be opened by anyone in the home. Also determine whether a child or elderly person would have trouble trying to open locks on the doors. If so, replace them with others that are easier to open.
Perform an escape drill at night when everyone is asleep. Set off the smoke detector and then you will see how long it takes everyone to get out, as well as who has problems. Even a one-time practice could save lives one day. Discuss any problems that someone might have had. The next chance you get, practice the drill again with special attention to the problems areas so everyone will be sure of where to go and how to open windows or doors that might be difficult.
Next, determine the room where every member of your family can go to if someone is trying to break into the house. This room needs to have a lock that can only be opened from the inside. You should have a telephone and candles handy. Some other items you might need are a flashlight, matches, and access to a bathroom. If you can’t get to a room that connects to a bathroom, you might want to keep a bedpan in the closet because you don’t know how long you will be there.
In the basement, keep emergency supplies in case of a tornado or a bad storm. You should have candles, a flashlight, non-perishable food, blankets, a radio, and drinking water. Be sure to check your smoke detectors every other month to make sure they are working properly.
Planning ahead and taking precautionary steps can help to minimize possible damage from an emergency situation. Start making your plan today.
