Make an escape plan, explain it to everyone in the household and practise it! When you make the escape plan, involve everyone who lives in your home, including children, older or disabled people and any lodgers.
Choosing an escape route
Here are some tips to help plan your escape from fire:
- the best escape route is the normal way out of the house.
- think of any difficulties you may have getting out e.g. at night you may need to have a torch to light your way.
- choose a second escape route, in case the first one is blocked.
- keep all exits clear of obstructions, like bicycles.
- if there are children, older or disabled people or pets, plan how you will get them out.
Think about a safe place to go if you can’t escape
The first priority is to keep people safe by getting them out of the building. If you can't escape, you’ll need to find a room to take refuge in. This is especially important if you have difficulty moving around or going downstairs on your own.
Make sure everyone knows where door and window keys are kept. Decide where the keys to doors and windows should be kept and always keep them there. Make sure everyone in your household knows where they are.