A home escape plan should include the following:
- A map of each level of your home, showing all doors and windows.
- Indicate 2 ways out of every room.
- Make sure someone knows to help children and anyone in the home who needs assistance to wake up and get out.
- Teaching children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them.
- Identifying a meeting place outside, a safe distance from the home.
- Teach everyone to not leave the meeting place until at least 2 people are there, so someone can advise the fire department who is out of the house already and who is not accounted for yet.
- Practice your home escape plan at least twice a year.
- When practicing, use different ways to get out to become familiar with your options.
- Make sure all windows and doors can easily be opened, if needed.
- Practice closing doors and windows behind you as you go.
- Once you are out, stay out! Never go back in for people, pets or things.
- Go to your meeting place.
- Call 9-1-1 from a cell phone or neighbour's phone, once at least 2 people are at the meeting place.
