Air Force
10-31-2004, 02:07 AM
Home Escape Routes
Know how to get out of your home safely and quickly when trouble strikes
There are countless reasons that make a home evacuation necessary—from everyday fires and gas leaks to more rare things, like natural disasters. When the time comes and your family needs to get out quickly, a rehearsed route can make all the difference to avert tragedy. Learn how to create an "out" route for your home with the following tips.
Tip One: Install Smoke Alarms
If smoke alarms are not already in place, install them outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home in accordance with local codes. Smoke alarms cut your chances of dying in a home fire nearly in half.
Tip Two: Plan Your Escape Routes
Whether the power's out or your home is filled with smoke, it's easy to become disoriented in a crisis. To get out free and clear, draw a floor plan of your home and mark two escape routes for each room. This will help everyone understand the safest routes during a frightening emergency.
Tip Three: Keep Escape Ladders Handy
Provide escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Escape ladders permit quick exits, reducing time spent in smoke-filled, toxic environments while waiting for firefighters. Learn how to use them and store them near a window. If main escape routes via stairs are blocked, the windows may be your only alternative.
Tip Three: Make Sure Your Window Locks and Burglar Bars Open
Burglar bars and locks that block outside window entry must be easy to open from the inside. If a key is required to open bars or locks, keep a key near each window to use for escape. Quick-release devices are available for security bars. If smoke or fire is blocking the main exit, you must be able to use your alternate routes quickly.
Tip Four: Establish a Meeting Place
Select a safe meeting place outside for everyone to meet. Make sure it will be a safe distance from your home, and in the case of fire, any heat, smoke or flames. Family members may use different escape routes, exiting on different sides of the home. Gathering in a specific meeting place in front of the home will quickly let you know who is out, and allow you to advise firefighters of who may need help and their probable location inside.
Tip Five: Practice the Drill Conduct an escape drill at least twice a year with all members of your household. Practicing your plan makes the actual response more of an appropriate reaction, requiring less thinking during an emergency situation.
Tip Six: Learn to Low-crawl
Practice a crawl-low escape. Fires produce many toxic gases. Some are heavy and sink to the floor; others rise, carrying soot towards the ceiling. Crawling with your head at a level of one to two feet above the ground above the ground will temporarily provide the best air. Close doors behind you.
Tip Seven: Leave First, Call for Help Second
Teach family members to get out first, then call for help. Get out of the house, away from toxic smoke and gases. If a portable phone is handy during your escape, you may take it with you, but don't waste time looking for one. Use your neighbor's phone, a car phone or nearby pay phone to call for help.
Tip Eight: Check in With Your Landlord
If you live in an apartment or highrise building, most of the above tips also apply to you. In addition, make sure you know the building's fire escape route and the location of the stairwell nearest you. Check with your building supervisor or landlord to see what their procedures are regarding escape routes.
Sources: U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency and National Fire Protection Association
Know how to get out of your home safely and quickly when trouble strikes
There are countless reasons that make a home evacuation necessary—from everyday fires and gas leaks to more rare things, like natural disasters. When the time comes and your family needs to get out quickly, a rehearsed route can make all the difference to avert tragedy. Learn how to create an "out" route for your home with the following tips.
Tip One: Install Smoke Alarms
If smoke alarms are not already in place, install them outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home in accordance with local codes. Smoke alarms cut your chances of dying in a home fire nearly in half.
Tip Two: Plan Your Escape Routes
Whether the power's out or your home is filled with smoke, it's easy to become disoriented in a crisis. To get out free and clear, draw a floor plan of your home and mark two escape routes for each room. This will help everyone understand the safest routes during a frightening emergency.
Tip Three: Keep Escape Ladders Handy
Provide escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Escape ladders permit quick exits, reducing time spent in smoke-filled, toxic environments while waiting for firefighters. Learn how to use them and store them near a window. If main escape routes via stairs are blocked, the windows may be your only alternative.
Tip Three: Make Sure Your Window Locks and Burglar Bars Open
Burglar bars and locks that block outside window entry must be easy to open from the inside. If a key is required to open bars or locks, keep a key near each window to use for escape. Quick-release devices are available for security bars. If smoke or fire is blocking the main exit, you must be able to use your alternate routes quickly.
Tip Four: Establish a Meeting Place
Select a safe meeting place outside for everyone to meet. Make sure it will be a safe distance from your home, and in the case of fire, any heat, smoke or flames. Family members may use different escape routes, exiting on different sides of the home. Gathering in a specific meeting place in front of the home will quickly let you know who is out, and allow you to advise firefighters of who may need help and their probable location inside.
Tip Five: Practice the Drill Conduct an escape drill at least twice a year with all members of your household. Practicing your plan makes the actual response more of an appropriate reaction, requiring less thinking during an emergency situation.
Tip Six: Learn to Low-crawl
Practice a crawl-low escape. Fires produce many toxic gases. Some are heavy and sink to the floor; others rise, carrying soot towards the ceiling. Crawling with your head at a level of one to two feet above the ground above the ground will temporarily provide the best air. Close doors behind you.
Tip Seven: Leave First, Call for Help Second
Teach family members to get out first, then call for help. Get out of the house, away from toxic smoke and gases. If a portable phone is handy during your escape, you may take it with you, but don't waste time looking for one. Use your neighbor's phone, a car phone or nearby pay phone to call for help.
Tip Eight: Check in With Your Landlord
If you live in an apartment or highrise building, most of the above tips also apply to you. In addition, make sure you know the building's fire escape route and the location of the stairwell nearest you. Check with your building supervisor or landlord to see what their procedures are regarding escape routes.
Sources: U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency and National Fire Protection Association