Escape Plans

Every household should have some sort of escape plan in place just in case the worst was to happen. Hopefully you will never have to use it, but it is important to prepare for it so there is no delay when it is put into action.

If you are concerned about how you would escape from your home in case of fire, don’t worry, help is at hand. No matter how old you are, or what type of house you live in, the fire and rescue service will help you devise an escape plan, free of charge. More information can be found here.

If you prefer to create your own, then please follow our safety advice below.

Plan Together

Plan together as a family ensuring that all the children in the household know the plan and what to do in the unlikely event of fire occurring. Special arrangements need to be made in consideration of any elderly or vunerable people who may live with you and how you will implement the escape.

The Escape Route

Ensure that the escape route is practicable and can be carried out. Have regular talk though so its always fresh. It is also advisable to have a room in which you could all stay in if the worse was to happen. It would be suggested that this room also has a telephone so you can summon help. Make sure all the children know your address in case they have to telephone themselves.

Shout for Help

It’s important to let firefighters know you are there, and if you haven’t managed to call 999 you need to raise the alarm. Lean out of the window to breathe if you need to. Keep drawing attention to yourself. If the window is locked try breaking it with a heavy object. Strike the window in the corner, as it can be hard to break the glass. It may also be worth purchasing several Life Hammers which is a small price to pay if it aids your escape.

Escaping

Only escape from a window if you are in immediate danger from the fire. When in the room it is advisable to put bedding or clothes at the bottom of the door to stop the smoke coming in before you all have escaped. If there are two adults, then one should drop first to enable the children to be lowered before being dropped, don’t jump. If you are escaping from a upper bedroom throw out the mattress or bedding to help cushion the landing.

Please note: Whilst in the perfect world, it would be ideal to leave your house keys in your door locks for an easy escape, we do find ourselves in a society where this is not practicable due to theft etc. If you are worried about the security of your home, it is advised that your keys should be left in a safe and suitable place, and that all the family are fully aware of where they are, should the worse happen.

Safelincs UK Ltd

UK Fire Service Resources recommends Safelincs Safety Products for all your safety products and services.