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COMMUNITY > Emergency Services > Make an Escape Plan

Make an Escape Plan

Make an Escape Plan

When a fire occurs, there is no time for planning. So sit down with your family today and make a step-by-step plan for escaping a fire.

Know 2 Ways Out

Draw a diagram of your home, showing every door and window. Plan two ways out of every room, especially the bedrooms. Then walk through each escape route, checking for barriers. Make sure everyone can unlock all locks and open all windows and doors quickly, even in the dark.

Escape a 2 Storey House

If you must escape from a second-storey window, be sure you have a safe way to reach the ground. Make special arrangements for small children and people with disabilities.

Get Out Fast

In case of a fire, don’t stop for anything. Do not try to take possessions or pets. Just get out. Call the fire department from a neighbour’s phone after you are out.

Do Not Go Back

Make sure everyone in your family knows that once they are out, they must not go back for any reason. If people are trapped, firefighters have the best chance of rescuing them.

Call the Fire Department After You Escape

Everyone should gather at one meeting place outside, preferably at the front, where the fire department will arrive. Each family member should know how to place an emergency telephone call from a neighbour’s home.

Practice Your Plan

At least twice a year, have a fire drill in your home. Appoint someone as the monitor, to sound the alarm and make sure everyone participates.

The majority of fatal fires occur when people are sleeping. So start the drill, go to your bedroom, close the door, and wait for the monitor to sound the alarm.

Make your exit drill as realistic as possible. Practice both escape routes. Pretend that certain exits are blocked by fire, that there are no lights, and that the hallways are filling with smoke.

Remember, a fire drill is not a race. Get out quickly, but carefully.

Be Ready for Hazards on the Way Out

Test Every Door - Before opening a door, make sure there is no fire on the other side. Kneeling or crouching at the door, reach up high and use the back of your hand to touch the door, the door knob, and the space between the door and the frame. If any of these feels hot, use your second way out.

Crawl Low - Smoke contains deadly gases and is hot, so it will fill the room from the top down. If you encounter smoke using your primary exit, use your alternate route instead. If you must exit through smoke, the best air will be several inches off the floor. Get down on your hands and knees, and crawl quickly to the exit.