Wherever you are, it’s important that you and your family know how to escape if there’s a fire. It doesn’t take long to make an escape plan and it could save lives, especially if you check and practice your plan regularly.
Think about
- Who’s usually at home?
- How will they know there’s a fire?
- If there are children, who will help them?
- If there are elderly people, who will tell them there’s a fire and who’ll help them?
- If there are people who can’t see, hear or move around easily, who will help them?
- Where can you set up a safe meeting place away from the property?
Plan A
The first choice route of escape is always through the main door. Make sure you close it once everyone is out.
Plan B
If it’s not safe to leave by the main door, how else could you escape?
- Is there another door you could use or a fire escape?
- Could you climb out of a ground floor window?
- Could you climb out of a first floor window onto a garage roof or extension and get down safely?
If Plan A or B are not safe, you might need to find somewhere to stay safe and await rescue. Make sure everything is ready so that you can:
- Go to a room with a phone and a window that opens
- Pack clothes and blankets around the door to keep smoke out
- Stay by the window and shout for help
Practice your emergency escape plan together
Practicing your plan in advance will help everyone to stay calm if there is a fire. It will also help you get to safety more quickly.
If you live in Scotland, request a Free Home Fire Safety Visit. We'll help you sort out a fire escape plan and provide information about smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms.
Research has shown that children can remain asleep when smoke alarms are sounding. If there are children in your home your escape plan should include adults ensuring that any sleeping children have been roused from sleep.
