We are here to help you update your fire escape plan this year if you haven’t already. Fire escape plans take no more than 60 minutes to create and may be one of the most valuable assets in your home, not just for you, but for friends or even guests who stay at your home. At Service Today, we’re here to guide you in creating an updated plan for your family. This is a chance to discuss how everyone will safely escape a fire without panic.
Key Steps to Creating Your Fire Escape Plan
- Know Two Ways Out of Every Room
It’s essential that every member of the household knows at least two quick ways out of every room, especially bedrooms. This gives you options in case one exit is blocked by smoke or fire.
- Agree on a Meeting Place
Choose a safe meeting place outside your home where everyone will gather once they’ve escaped. A popular choice is the end of the driveway or a neighbour’s house. This helps ensure everyone is accounted for.
- Designate a Caller for Emergency Services
Assign someone the responsibility of calling 000 (Australia’s emergency services number) in the event of a fire. Make sure everyone knows who will do this if the fire happens at night or when you’re all in different parts of the house.
- Practice, Practice, Practice
A fire escape plan is only useful if everyone knows exactly what to do when the time comes. We strongly recommend that every family conducts a practice fire drill at least once a year. This will help everyone get comfortable with the escape routes and the actions they need to take, ensuring a smoother, faster response in an actual emergency.
Vital Fire Safety Tips to Discuss with Your Family
Once you’ve mapped out your plan, it’s important to cover a few basic fire safety principles with your family. Here are some crucial tips:
- Stop, drop, and roll if your clothes catch fire. This simple technique can help extinguish flames quickly.
- Get down low and crawl if smoke fills the room. Smoke rises, so staying low to the ground will give you cleaner air to breathe.
- Get out and stay out. Once you’re safely outside, do not go back inside the house under any circumstances. Your safety is the priority.
- If it’s safe to do so, close doors behind you as you exit. This can help slow the spread of fire and smoke.
It’s easy to overlook the importance of fire safety until it’s too late, but a little preparation now can go a long way in keeping your family safe. With fire risks on the rise, especially during the hotter months, it’s essential to be ready. By creating a clear fire escape plan and practising it regularly, you’ll give your family the confidence to act quickly and safely in an emergency.
At Service Today, we’re here to help guide you in ensuring your home is as safe as possible. Stay safe, stay prepared, and remember: it’s better to plan ahead than to panic in a crisis.
