Last Revised 03/15/2005
What is a fire escape plan?
It's a strategy for exiting your home
safely during a fire. A key to a safe way out!
A good escape plan includes:
Careful preparation.
Proper placement of smoke detectors.
Regular drills.
Special home fire ladders at the bottom of
each upstairs window that can be easily thrown out.
Everyone knowing how to open all doors and
windows.
Everyone knowing the escape plan and the
proper procedures in carrying it out.
How to make your escape plan:
First: Draw a floor plan of your house.
- Doors (interior and exterior) and
windows. Label any that might be difficult to escape
through.
- Primary & alternate exits from each
room. Which will be easier to escape through & which
ones are the most logical.
-All outdoor features that could aid
escape or hinder escape (such as balconies, roofs,
and trees).
-An escape plan also takes into account any
physical & mental handicaps that an individual may have.
-Also any allowances for the elderly &
children. Arrange for these quarters to be next to those
that can help get them out.
-Designate a primary escape plan AND a
secondary escape plan.
Second: Discuss and practice your plan.
- Know the locations of phones and the
number to call for an emergency. THIS IS NOT AT YOUR HOUSE.
Please
use neighbors phone or a
cell phone.
-Special assignments. Decide who will
phone the fire department or 911. Who will circle the house to
check missing persons?
-Each person knows the primary and
secondary escape routes.
-Designate the outside meeting place.
Choose a location that is easy to remember and where firefighters
can see you.
-Make sure the baby sitter also knows the
plans.
-Vary the drill by varying the
situation. Children should practice getting out each
window. (Depending on the age)
Third: Know and discuss to all family members the
following survival tips:
1. Crawl to the door on your hands
and knees, not on your stomach
2. Feel the door, if it is cool,
brace yourself against it, turn your face away from it, and open
it carefully. Slam it close if you detect
any smoke or heat.
3. If you can't use primary exit
because of heat and smoke, use the secondary exit. If you
must break a window, stand to the side
as you swing an object through it. Use another object to remove
all glass from the frames and place a blanket over the sill.
4. Lower yourself to safety by using
a fire ladder. Before opening the window, make sure all doors are
closed.
5. If unable to lower yourself
out, then straddle the window, wave a white sheet and start
screaming to attract attention.
6. Never reenter a burning building.
We as the firefighters have a better chance of rescuing trapped
people
7. Always seek medical attention
afterwards Even if you think that you are unharmed. Let the
medical people determine this
If you catch on fire, stop, drop and roll. DO NOT RUN! If another person's clothes are on fire roll them or use a blanket, rug, etc. to put them out. Be careful of your own safety.
Close doors as you leave the room. A closed door acts as a fire barrier.
If you smell smoke or hear an alarm, stay calm and think what you are to do. Be cautious but do things quick.
Evacuate first then worry about calling the fire department.
Know how and when to use fire
extinguishers. I can not speak for all fire departments,
but, I'm pretty sure if you do not know how and when to use
one they will be happy to teach you.
* The fire must be small
* Use after everyone else is outside
*Aim at the base of the fire and in a
sweeping motion
* Never let the fire get between you and an
escape route
* If after 30 seconds you haven't put the
fire out, then you have a fire out of control - - LEAVE the house
or structure.
Return
to Public Safety Tips Index
This
page created May 6, 1998 by Dennis
Gifford
was last updated
03/15/2005