Home Escape

Plan Your Escape

A fire in your home can quickly spread and block your exit, trapping you and your family inside. That's why it is important that every family member know at least two different ways to get out of the home. If you plan to use a window as a second way out in a fire, make sure it isn't nailed or painted shut and that it can be opened easily by everyone in your household.

A message from the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council and the Pickering Fire Services.

Know When to Go! React Fast to Fire

If a fire broke out tonight while you were sleeping, would you and your family get out alive? You must develop a home fire escape plan now and practice it regularly. Make sure every family member knows two ways out of your home. Establish a family meeting place away from the house so that everyone can be accounted for and call the fire department from a neighbour's home. Never re-enter a burning building to try to save possessions.

A message from the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council and the Pickering Fire Services.

Fire Won't Wait - Plan Your Escape

A fire in your home can turn into a raging inferno faster than you could ever imagine. If a fire breaks out in your home, don't waste time trying to save possessions. Get everyone out and away from the building as quickly as possible and go to your designated meeting place. Then call the fire department from a neighbour's phone. Never re-enter a burning building. Remember: your most valuable possession is your life.

A message from the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council and the Pickering Fire Services.

 
Home Escape Plan

Would your family know how to escape if there was a fire in your home? A home escape plan is a plan to get out of the home safely in case of fire. Everyone should know two ways out of each room because escape may not be as easy as going out the door. Here are the easy steps to follow to make your home escape plan:

• Get your family together and draw a floor plan of your home. Mark all windows and doors. Click here to download and print the document. [PDF 80 kb]
• Plan two ways out of each bedroom. The first way out should be the door, and the second way out could be a window.
• Make sure windows can be opened easily. In a two-story building, plan your escape through a window onto a roof or porch. If you must use an escape ladder, be sure everyone knows how to use it. Children should practice this with an adult present.
• Choose a meeting place for all family members outside the home and mark it on the floor plan. A good meeting place would be a tree, telephone pole, or a neighbour's home.
• Make sure everyone understands the planned escape routes.
• Install smoke alarms outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of the home. If you sleep with bedroom doors closed, make sure everyone can hear the smoke alarm, or consider installing one inside the bedroom. Test smoke detectors weekly.
• Practice your escape plan. Remember, if you see smoke on your way out, use your second exit. If you must escape through smoke, crawl low under it where the air is cleaner. Have family members practice using their second way out as well as their primary route.
• If you live in an apartment, use the stairs - never use an elevator in case of fire. The elevator could take you to the floor where the fire is burning. If fire blocks your exit, close your apartment door and cover all cracks where smoke could enter. Telephone the fire department, even if firefighters are already at the building and tell them where you are. Wave a sheet or towel from the window to help firefighters find you.

Talking about your escape plan is not enough; you have to practice it at least twice a year. Take a moment to get your family together to make your plan. It could be a lifesaving family project!   Escape Plan [PDF 80 kb]