Preparing Your Fire Escape Plan

11/28/2017 (Permalink)

Preparing Your Fire Escape Plan

A fire escape plan can be the difference between calm and catastrophe during a crisis. Fortunately, although every home in Reading, PA will have different needs, there are a few universal steps for creating an effective emergency escape plan.

1. Involve Whole Family

Your plan will impact everyone, so it’s important to include your family during all planning stages. Walk your household members through each room and strategize escape routes as a team.

2. Identify Potential Barriers

A blocked exit is an inconvenience in day-to-day life, but it can be deadly during a crisis. Identify potential barriers with your family, taking care to ensure each member can identify and address problem areas so they’re better prepared to select the best route during disaster.

3. Schedule Maintenance Checks

Regularly monitor the state of your fire safety equipment. Sprinklers and alarm systems should be tested at least once a year, but it’s always better to over prepare when possible. Consider turning your maintenance checks into opportunities to review your fire escape plan with the household.

4. Formalize Your Plan

Display a copy of your emergency escape plan somewhere safe and highly visible. The kitchen may be an ideal location for posting a laminated version it, providing both prominent and easy access to the information.

Additional information should include emergency contacts and the Pennsylvania fire department’s emergency number, although the National Fire Protection Association recommends having each family member memorize this number, as well.

5. Develop Post-Fire Plans

Finally, after laying the ground work for your escape, consider adding post-disaster action steps as the finishing touch. This addendum should include friends and family you might board with, insurance information for filing claims and contact numbers for restoration specialists.

More Than Physical

While developing an emergency escape plan alone cannot avert disaster, readying your response strategy can help you manage stress before, during and following a fire. Your fire escape plan isn’t just to protect your physical health – it’s also an important safeguard for your family’s peace of mind when disaster strikes.
Visit http://www.SERVPROreading.com for more information on fire damage.