Getting Out: Building a Reliable Escape Plan | SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms

11/28/2023 (Permalink)

Has your home been damaged by a disastrous fire? Call SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms today! We are here to restore your space.

No one wants to think about the potential of suffering a house fire, but unfortunately, it is a serious reality for thousands of Americans across the country every year. Fire can break out at the most unsuspecting time, leaving you in a panic with only minutes to get out of your home safely.

All homes should have a reliable escape plan, and it should be reviewed annually to make sure everyone in your household understands what to do and where to go. Our team explains some easy ways to create your fire escape plan below!

Creating the Plan  

Grab a piece of paper and draw up your house, including all of the rooms with their windows and doors. Have your kids lead you around your house and point out each exit point in each room. 

Since windows are a reliable way of exiting your home in an emergency, window safety and responsibility should be addressed now as well. Once all of the exits are identified, head outside and choose an exterior meeting location. It should be easy enough to get to so that everyone can make it there quickly, but far enough away to be removed from the danger. A mailbox across the street or a neighbor’s porch are both good options.

If you live in an apartment or a high-rise, you still need to make a map of your home and locate the regular exits. However, you also need to know where to go once you are out in the hallway. Find the stairs and also the fire escape location. You should also be sure to find an exterior meeting location once you are out of your complex. 

Putting the Plan Into Action   

Now that you have your plan, it’s time to do a little practicing! Have your kids find different places in your home and act out a normal day. Push the test button on your smoke alarm, and have your kids take you through their emergency exit strategies for the rooms they are in. 

As they safely exit their rooms, have them get down and crouch or crawl their way down the hall, simulating what it would look and feel like to stay below the smoke line. Make sure they understand the dangers of fire smoke and to stay as low as possible. Once you are all outside safely, head to your meeting location and explain how to call 911 and what to tell the dispatcher.

Steps to Recovery

House fires are known for creating extensive damage, even if they remain relatively contained. You could be dealing with debris, soot, smoke and even water damage due to the fire fighting efforts. Our team is here to ensure you recover faster and more thoroughly. 

We will clean, sanitize and repair the entire affected area, and we will make sure that all of the soot residue and smoke odors are removed from your home as well. Our team will return your home back to its pre-fire condition in no time at all. 

Suffering a house fire can be devastating. Let SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms handle your entire restoration and recovery!