When Every Minute Counts: Fire Escape Plans | SERVPRO® of East Evansville

4/8/2024 (Permalink)

fire exit emergency plan

No one plans to wake up one day expecting a house fire to break out. House fires are true emergency situations that can take almost anyone by surprise and can cause chaos to ensue as soon as the flames start building and spreading. 

Even though a fire can be confusing, scary and downright overwhelming, reacting quickly by getting out of your house can save your life. Do you have a reliable fire escape plan in place for your family and your household?

Creating the Plan 

No matter the layout of your home, you need to have a strategy that is communicated to your entire family. The best way to do this is to create your fire escape plan together! 

Grab a piece of paper and draw out each level of your home and then go on a quick tour with your kids. Have them point out the escape route in each room of your home, making sure they understand that windows should be included in your plan. This is also a great time to explain that while escaping out a window may be necessary, your windows should be respected and always avoided unless absolutely necessary. 

Once your exits have been documented on your layout, it’s time to head outside and decide on a central meeting location. Your meeting spot should be easy enough to get to but far enough away from your house to stay protected while the fire department fights the fire. A mailbox, a neighbor’s porch or a curb across the street are all good options. 

If you live in an apartment complex or a multi-unit property, make sure your escape plan is tailored to your home’s specific needs. Identify emergency exits on each level of your complex and also ensure that you know where the fire escape is located. Remind your children that it is important to avoid using the elevator during a true fire emergency.

Putting It to the Test

A plan is great, but only when it works! After you have created your escape routes and agreed on where to meet after everyone is outside, it’s time to practice. Simulate a normal day by having your kids playing in different areas of your home and then hit the test button on your smoke alarm. Once they hear the sound, time them to see how long it takes your kids to get out of their rooms and out the door.

As they are escaping, have them attempt to crawl on their hands and knees, explaining that this may be necessary if smoke has already filled the hallway. House fire smoke is toxic and even just a few inhales of smoke can leave you disoriented and make it harder to stay focused on your escape. 

Recovering Afterward 

Once everyone is outside and the authorities have been called, it is unfortunately all you can do until the fire is out. Give us a call as soon as the authorities leave so we can get to work on your restoration right away.

Our team understands how impactful house fires can be, which is why we work quickly to address your destruction in a quick and efficient manner. We will clean, sanitize, restore and rebuild your home with confidence so you can get back to your regular life faster.

Dealing with fire damage? Let SERVPRO of East Evansville take care of you.