Fire & Escape Plans for Homes

Mapping Out Fire Escape Routes

• The National Fire Protection Association recommends sitting down with your family and creating a map that will show all escape routes. In addition you may want to think about adding ladders to second-floor windows, just to make sure that there are two exits to every room. Your family should practice exiting through these routes to make sure they are safe. The association recommends testing your fire escape plan through a fire drill twice a year.

Helping Younger Kids

• It is more difficult for younger kids or infants to escape a fire. For small kids a drawing of your plan may help them understand what they are supposed to do. If you have a baby, toddlers, disabled family members or an elderly person living with you, someone should take responsibility for helping that person to get out of the home safely. By designating a "buddy" to that person, a family will ensure that everyone can leave the home safely in an emergency situation.

Prevention and Planning

• Everyone should be included and participate in creating the map. Make sure as a family you walk through the home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Make sure there are two ways out of each room and that they are easily accessible. If windows or doors have security bars, make sure they also have emergency release devices on them so they can be opened in case of a fire. Also mark smoke alarms on the map. Smoke alarms should be installed in every room where a person is sleeping. Lastly, plan a place outside the home where everyone is supposed to meet once they get out of the home. This can be a neighbor's home, a mailbox or a stop sign. It should be a safe distance from the home.

Doing the Drills

• Only 23 percent of households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Plans are pertinent especially for children so they understand what is going on. Teach a child what to do when the fire alarm goes off and what it sounds like. Practice the drill twice a year. Display emergency numbers in a place where children and adults can memorize them just in case. Make sure everyone knows not to go back in a burning building.