A fire can double in size each minute. That's why having a home fire escape plan is one of the most important things you can do with your family. By working on a home escape plan together, you and your family will know the safest way out of your home in the event of a fire.
Below are some tips to help you make a home escape plan.
Plan a route |
To ensure your family has an escape route in an emergency situation, plan two ways out of each room by:
- Identifying your primary (first way out) and secondary (second way out) exits (the first way out should be using a normal way out such as the front or back door, and the second way out could be a window)
- Making sure windows can be opened easily
- Planning your escape in a two-storey home through a window onto a roof or porch
- Ensuring everyone knows how to use an escape ladder, if you must use one for your escape plan
- Practise your plan twice a year
If you see smoke around your primary escape route, use your secondary exit. If you must escape through smoke, get low and go beneath the smoke.
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Choose a meeting place outside the home |
During an emergency, make sure all family members know where to meet outside the home and mark it on your home escape plan. A good meeting place would be a tree, telephone pole or a neighbour's home. |
Apartment escape planning |
If you live in an apartment, remember the following tips for exiting your building during a fire or emergency:
- Always use the stairs, never use an elevator in case of a fire
- Do not use elevators even if they appear to be working (when the alarm sounds, elevators may be grounded and in control of the responding firefighters)
- If fire or smoke blocks your exit, protect yourself and your family in place by:
- Closing your apartment door, but do not lock it
- Covering all cracks where smoke could enter using wet towels or tape
- Calling 9-1-1 even if firefighters are already onsite and telling them the number of your apartment
- Waving a sheet or towel from the window to help firefighters locate you
- Trying to stay calm and listening for instructions from fire personnel
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