HOME ESCAPE PLANS

In a house fire you only have a few minutes from the sounding of the smoke alarm to when your life is seriously threaten by fire or smoke. It is vital that you prepare and practice an escape plan so all members of the family know how to leave quickly and safely in the event of a fire. Families who are well prepared for a house fire are more likely to escape their homes safely.

Making a plan:
  • Draw a floor plan of your house. Discuss and practice escape routes with all members of the family
  • Know two ways to get out of every room, if possible
  • Decide on a safe place outside of the home (eg the letterbox) to meet
  • Make sure security doors and windows unlock quickly from the inside
  • Don't deadlock doors when inside the house. If you need to use the deadlock while home, leave the key in it or install a key holder next to the door
Important to remember:
  • Dial Triple 000 once you have escaped
  • Consider householders with special needs such as young children, the elderly or infirm. If their bedrooms are at the other end of the house consider how will you be able to reach them if access is blocked by fire
  • Ensure your smoke alarms are in working order. Remember, children may not wake up to the sound of a smoke alarm operating
Fire Safety Tips:
  • Use the back of your hand to check closed doors for excessive heat before opening
  • Crawl or stay low as smoke and heat rise. Inhaling smoke and toxic cases can kill you
  • Close internal doors behind you as you escape
  • Account for all missing people
  • DO NOT go back into a burning house for anything