Your Fire Evacuation Plan | SERVPRO® of Washington County

11/3/2021 (Permalink)

Having a fire evacuation plan is an important aspect of fire safety. If a fire should happen, remember the trusted name in restoration, SERVPRO.

It’s true what they say: The best things in life are free. Think of all the investment you’ve made in your home, your hobbies, your vehicles, whatever it may be, and yet these things are not the most valuable thing you have, are they?

Your family is the most precious thing in your life—irreplaceable, invaluable and light years beyond any sort of monetary valuation.

That’s why it’s of the highest importance that you and your family create and know your home fire evacuation plan. You’ve got an estimated two minutes to escape a fire, so executing the plan is crucial.

Your fire alarm can only help you so much—it can alert you to the need for evacuation, but it can’t plan your route, and it can’t evacuate for you. So let’s walk through planning and executing your evacuation plan.

Think About Everyone

Make sure your plan includes special routes for individuals with special needs, or elderly family members who may be less mobile—take into account family members’ abilities to use stairs, ladders or other escape methods, and create alternative escape plans for them as needed.

Involve children in your planning, and let them be part of creating their portion of the plan, as well as visual aids and reminders for themselves and the family. They’ll better remember things in which they’ve invested time an energy.

Think About Options

The truth is that the unpredictability of a fire necessitates extra planning—in other words, one plan isn’t enough.

You’re going to need to have two ways out of every room. Windows can be used, but you may need an escape ladder that can be easily employed in an emergency. Always make sure window latches work and are easily operated.

Create a second plan for scenarios in which your ideal exit routes become blocked. If you run out of options and all planned exits become blocked, close all the doors between yourself and the fire, put a towel at the bottom of the door and let the fire department know where in the house you are so they can rescue you.

Think About Practice

Put your plan in practice—rehearse it with the whole family to make sure it works and everyone understands; do this at least once a year. Choose a meeting place everyone can reach, where you can safely convene after escape to make sure everyone is safe and accounted for.

If fire should affect your home, we’re here to restore and recover your damaged property. Contact SERVPRO today to see how we can help.