How To Prepare for an Emergency

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

Test your smoke alarms monthly to prevent a fire to become dangerous to your family.

How To Prepare for an Emergency

You hope you’ll never have to leave your Greenlake, WA home in a rush because of a fire. It is wise to create a fire escape plan for your household, however. Preparing your family in advance will help them make smart decisions when they have to act fast.

1. Consider Special Needs of Family Members
Make sure you account for children and elderly family members who need assistance leaving the house. Smoke alarms don’t always wake children up, so assign someone to wake them and help them exit. Consider involving your kids in the planning stages of the emergency escape plan so that they feel more connected to the process.

2. Establish Exits and Meeting Spot
Think about each room in the house and find two ways out. This could be a door and a window, but make sure it is easy to open. Choose a meeting spot away from the house outside, preferably at the end of the driveway. This helps emergency responders see that everyone is safe. Emphasize the importance of not returning to the house for any items.

3. Check Smoke Alarms
Your fire escape plan should include inspecting the alarms frequently to ensure they work. Change the batteries at least twice a year as well. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you place one alarm in each bedroom, as well as one in the hallway near the bedrooms. Each level of the house should also have at least one alarm. In addition, place one in the kitchen.

4. Practice the Plan
To ensure that everyone is prepared, go over the plan and practice the escape at least once each year. Children especially will be less likely to panic if they feel confident about the routine. Keep the emergency number of a fire restoration service handy as well.
Prepare in advance to keep your family safe with a fire escape plan.