Planning a Family Fire Escape Plan

Planning for a house fire isn't something most people want to think about; however a fire escape plan could mean the difference between life and death. Here are a few points to consider:

• draw up a floor plan of your home that shows at least two ways out of each room
  
  
• crawl through escape routes with your family during semi-annual practice drills
  
  
• ensure there are no obstacles in front of windows, doors and escape routes
  
  
• family members need to know how to open all windows and remove screens
  
  
• make sure escape ladders are accessible and not buried in the back of closets
  
  
• designate a special meeting place for all family members once you've evacuated
  
  
• remind children never to re-enter a burning home under any circumstances

If you live in a condo or apartment building, ensure you know the evacuation plan and do some practice drills. Being prepared and knowing what to expect is key in any emergency situation. Having a fire escape plan could save your family the precious minutes that make the difference between life and death.