Home Escape Plan

Every household should have an escape plan. Practice your home escape plan and make sure each person in your home knows what to do when there is an emergency, such as a fire. Having an escape plan could save your life!

Two ways out

Make sure everyone knows two ways out of each room of your home. If the door of a room is blocked by smoke or fire, plan an alternate route out, such as through a window. Security bars on windows should have quick-releasing devices for easy removal during an emergency.

An example of a home escape plan:

Help those who need it

You should also plan who will help other people in your home who need it, such as:

• Young children
• Older adults
• People with disabilities
• Anyone else who may need assistance

Choose a meeting place

Your home escape plan needs to include a meeting place outside. You and your family will go to your meeting place once you have exited your home. A meeting place is good to have so you can find everyone if you are separated and to make sure that everyone gets out of the house.

A tree, street light or the end of the driveway are great meeting places. Make sure the meeting place is in front of your home.

Avoid going to a neighbour's home until the Township of Scugog Fire Department has arrived on scene, so firefighters know occupants are safe.

Smoke

If you come across smoke while escaping, get low and go under the smoke to the nearest safe exit.

Smoke inhalation causes most fire deaths. Never go back into a burning building. Once you have safely escaped, call 9-1-1 from outside your home using a cell phone or from a neighbour's home.

Apartment and condominium buildings

If you live in an apartment or condominium, your safety depends on your own actions and the actions of building management and other residents.

Smoke can spread throughout a building and enter your suite even when the fire is many floors away. During an emergency, you will not have much time to decide what to do.