FIRE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Emergency – Is Your Home and Family Ready?

Have you recently gathered your family and developed or reviewed a Fire Preparedness Plan?

Developing a detailed plan with your family will make sure to keep everyone safe during a fire. Everyone will know what to do.

Statistics demonstrate families that develop a fire preparedness plan are more likely to be safe during a fire. If you have not taken the time to do so already, we recommend gathering the household together to create a plan unique to your home.

Creating a Family Fire Plan

To create a detailed plan, you must consider the following five items: 

Identify The Exits

When a fire breaks out in your home, it is best to identify two different ways to exit each room safely. One member of the house may have to teach each member of your household how to safely exit through windows if that is the only option. Keep in mind that some house members may have a more difficult time escaping a fire, such as babies, elderly relatives, or individuals with disabilities.

Designate a Meeting Place

When looking for the perfect emergency meeting place, pick a spot  a safe distance away from your home. Great meeting spots would be locations like a mailbox, a park, or a neighbor's house.

When developing your plan, try to walk out and evaluate the meeting spot with all house members establishing it as the official meeting place. Keep in mind that all house members must know that once they exit the house, they should not go back inside for any reason.

Make a Map

A detailed drawing that includes the layout of your home and the exit areas is important in ensuring everyone stays safe. On the piece of paper, mark the different exits and exit paths from every room. The detailed plan should be somewhere accessible and make sure to go over the plan with any overnight guests.

Fire Safety Tips

Each household member needs to know the following safety tips:

• Choose the escape route with the least amount of heat and smoke, but be prepared for less than ideal circumstances.
• Do not touch the doorknob with bare hands. The fire may be close and will burn your hand badly. If it's not hot, the fire is not close by; then, it's ok to exit through the door.
• Remember that smoke rises, stay low, and crawl when traveling through a room or hallway with smoke.

Plan Fire Drills

Twice a year, we suggest that your house members schedule practice drills and replace the batteries in your smoke alarms. Practicing the safety tips from above will be a critical part of the drill.

Remember, nothing is more important than the house members' safety. SERVPRO of Northeast Collin County / Greenville can repair and remove and replace the damaged materials in your home, but your or your family’s life is irreplaceable. A family fire preparedness plan will save lives.

When disaster strikes, call SERVPRO of Northeast Collin County / Greenville.

(972)548-6044