Creating Fire Safety Exit Plan for Your Home

4/7/2017 (Permalink)

It is imperative for you and your family to have a home escape plan in case of a fire. SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island created step by step instructions for a fire safety exit strategy.

1. Using a floor plan (if you do not have one, you can easily draw a simple one) pick a primary exit from each room of your home. Your primary exit would be the quickest exit. You should also pick an alternative exit from each room, such as a window, if the primary exits are blocked in an emergency.
2. Any rooms that are not on the ground floor should have a fire escape ladder. They can easily be purchased online or at your local hardware store.
3. Write down your exit plan and give copies to each member of your family, make sure to do a practice session with any young family members.
4. You and your family should also do an exit plan practice session in the dark as a fire can happen at any time and frequently knocks out the power.
5. When exiting your home during a fire it is important to remember the following:
   1. A closed door that is emitting heat should not be opened, if you feel any heat you should leave using your alternative exit.
   2. If the door is closed and not emitting heat, you should open it slowly with your shoulder pushed against the door in case flames and/or smoke are on the other side.
   3. If there is smoke along the exit route, you and your family should crawl on the floor with mouths and noses covered to avoid smoke inhalation.
6. Pick a designated meeting spot outside of your home. For example, the end of your driveway or in front of a neighbor's house.
7. Pick a neighbor, ideally one you are friendly with, and let them know that in case of an emergency you will be coming to their house to call 911. This may seem obsolete because of cells phones however during a fire the most important thing is to exit your home ASAP and you can easily not have access to your phone or forget it.
8. You and your family must wait outside your home until emergency services has deemed your home safe for reentry.
9. If there is any damage from fire, water, and/or smoke - call SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island 718-979-4100 for your Cleanup & Restoration and we will make it “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island wants you to know that your family’s health and safety is top priority. We’d like to offer you assistance in anyway we can that is why we’ve created this easy to use Fire Safety Exit Plan. Should there ever be any fire, smoke, water, or mold damage in your home - please remember SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island is Faster to Any Size Disaster!