2023-Aug-25
Do You Have a Plan?
Last year in Ontario was a below average year for wildfires, but fire related deaths were the highest they’ve been in 20 years and the stats have been trending upward.
Your ability to get out of your home or cottage during a fire depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning. Fire can spread very quickly leaving as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once the alarm sounds. Make sure your home or cottage is equipped with fire extinguishers, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and that you have an escape plan in the event of emergency.
Have a plan
In the event of a fire, the priority is to get everyone out of danger as quickly as possible and having a well practiced plan is the best way to do this. It doesn’t take long to prepare a plan and can be a good family project. Your plan should include a map of the home marked with two exits (doors and windows that work) from each room. For second floor bedrooms considerations could include a hanging escape ladder.
Tips for designing your plan:
- Assess the needs of everyone in your home and identify who might require assistance and how to provide that
- Make sure each bedroom has a working flashlight
- Make sure everyone knows what the alarm sounds like
- Make sure everyone knows exactly what they are supposed to do when an alarm sounds
- Have a predetermined safe meeting place outside and make sure that everyone knows to go there
- Make sure everyone knows what information to relay to emergency services
- Consider using what3words so everyone knows what the 3 words are and can relay them to the 911 operators
PRACTICE YOUR PLAN! Practicing will point out any deficiencies in the plan and allow you to make changes if necessary. The National Fire Protection Association has a worksheet to help you design you own fire escape plan here.