How to Create a Home Fire Escape Plan

Creating a home fire escape plan is one of those things that you cannot procrastinate about. This is not meant to cause paranoia but fire can really happen to anyone, and it can happen to your family. It is better to always be prepared than to be sorry because you were too “busy” to come up with a fire escape plan that would have made such a big difference.

If you are now convinced that now is the time for you to make a home fire escape plan, here are the things you need to know in order for you to make one that is practical and effective.

Step 1 – Draw a basic floor map of the house. Include in your drawing all the doors, rooms, windows, and exit points. You do not have to be an artist to be able to draw a masterpiece. A simple and clear drawing that can easily be understood by everyone is good enough.

Step 2 – Examine the map carefully. This way, you can determine the best and most practical escape routes for the family depending on their location during the event of the fire. For example, if your kids are in their bedroom, which is located near the back door, their escape route should be through that way. Use the windows only as a last resort but be sure to include this escape route in the plan just in case.

Step 3 – Discuss the evacuation plan with the family

Gather the whole family and discuss the map that you have created. First, inform them of the possible exit points that they should go to in case of a fire break out. Be sure to give them at least two exit routes, one will be the main route and the other will be the back-up route if the main one is not available.

Discuss measures on how to get out of the house safely. Teach them that it is essential that they crawl their way out and cover their noses to avoid inhalation of toxic fumes. Tell them to touch doorknobs first before opening a door because a hot doorknob indicates that there is fire on the other side and that they should find another way out. Do not forget to designate an assembly meeting place outside the house where everyone should go to after getting out of the house safely.

Step 4 – Post the map in strategic locations of the house

Be sure to post the map along with some reminders in strategic locations of the house where they could easily be seen. If your home has two floors, be sure to have a map on each level so that your family could easily see them during a fire outbreak.

Step 5 – Conduct a fire drill

Conducting fire drills is a great way to determine if your family absorbed the things you discussed regarding the emergency evacuation plan. Be sure to hold fire drills regularly at least twice a year.

Aside from creating a home fire escape plan, another way to increase fire safety in your home is to install the right fire extinguishers. For example, in the kitchen, there should be a wet chemical fire extinguisher handy to put out grease and cooking oil fires. For the living room, a powder fire extinguisher that can put out fires involving solid organic materials, flammable liquids, and flammable gases is ideal to have.

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