Practicing Your Fire Escape Plan with Michele of A&J Property Restoration | Madison and Milwaukee WI
Channel: A&J Property Restoration DKI
Date: 2017-03-20

Does your family have a Home Fire Escape Plan?
You say, “That would never happen to us” and although that might be true, every year in the United States, fires claim more lives that all other natural disasters combined. With that said, does your family have a Home Fire Escape Plan?

While someone else may forget to blow the candle out before climbing in bed, you certainly never would. But all it takes is one mistake, one forgetful evening, or even just a bizarre house malfunction for a flame to come to life, pouring smoke down the hallway.

While losing your home is a scary thought, the harm that could come to your family is even more terrifying. But there’s no need to live in fear as long as you have a plan in place. Here’s a great place to start. Create a home fire escape plan and practice it with your family.

Plan. Review. Prevent.

Putting your Fire Escape Plan to the test:

Practice your home fire escape plan at least 2 times per year, making the drill as realistic as possible.

Make arrangements in your plan for anyone in your home who has a disability.

Allow children to master fire escape planning and practice before holding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping. Telling children there will be a drill before they go to bed can be as effective as a surprise drill.

It's important to determine during the drill whether children and others can readily waken to the sound of the smoke alarm. If they fail to awaken, make sure that someone is assigned to wake them up as part of the drill and in a real emergency situation.

If your home has two floors, every family member (including children) must be able to escape from the second floor rooms. Escape ladders can be placed in or near windows to provide an additional escape route. Review the manufacturer's instructions carefully so you'll be able to use a safety ladder in an emergency. 

Practice setting up the ladder from a first floor window to make sure you can do it correctly and quickly. Children should only practice with a grown-up, and only from a first-story window. 

Store the ladder near the window, in an easily accessible location. You don't want to have to search for it during a fire.

Always choose the escape route that is safest – the one with the least amount of smoke and heat – but be prepared to escape under toxic smoke if necessary. When you do your fire drill, everyone in the family should practice getting low and going under the smoke to your exit.

Closing doors on your way out slows the spread of fire, giving you more time to safely escape.

In some cases, smoke or fire may prevent you from exiting your home or apartment building. To prepare for an emergency like this, practice "sealing yourself in for safety" as part of your home fire escape plan. 

Close all doors between you and the fire. Use duct tape or towels to seal the door cracks and cover air vents to keep smoke from coming in. 

If possible, open your windows at the top and bottom so fresh air can get in. Call the fire department to report your exact location. 

Wave a flashlight or light-colored cloth at the window to let the fire department know where you are located.

While it’s a serious topic, don’t forget to make it fun! Use a timer to see how fast your family can get out of the house and to the designated meeting point. Set goals and come up with a fun reward for the family when you accomplish them. If you make it fun, your kids will engage in the process and take it seriously.

So instead of dismissing the idea of a house fire, take the time to create a plan and know that if the impossible ever does happen to you, your family will be prepared.

A&J Specialty Services, Inc. DKI is a full-service, 24/7 emergency fire and water restoration company serving Madison, Milwaukee, Brookfield, Wisconsin Dells, and surrounding south-central Wisconsin areas. A&J is an expert in water restoration, mold remediation, fire restoration and sewage cleanup.

Please give us a call at 800-727-8990 or click the link to Contact Us with any questions or fire restoration needs.

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