The thought of having a fire in your home can seem so far fetched, as no one thinks this is something that will happen to them. However, this is a potential situation where it definitely pays to be prepared. If you have children or pets then this is especially true. So how do you prepare for a fire? So it is very similar to the drills children do in schools- you should have a fire safety plan mapped out. Still not sure what to do? We have some tips on how to develop a fire safety plan to ensure you and your loved ones are as safe as possible in an emergency.

Consider ALL Members of Your Family

Small children and pets will likely need assistance in the event of a fire, so you and any other adults in your home will need to plan who will take on which responsibilities.

• Example: You have children and pets, so you decide to split the duties. You tend to your children while your partner handles the pets, or vice versa. It is important to ensure that everyone in the home will be taken care of and that no one gets forgotten among all the chaos. The last thing you want to do is run back into a burning house to rescue a forgotten hamster on the upper floor.
• This also applies to any elderly or family members who have limited mobility. You’ll want to make sure you know the members you are responsible for in case there is multiple people or pets that need help exiting the home.

Plan Multiple Routes Out of Your Home

There is no way to know where a fire is going to start in the home. So it is important to have multiple routes planned for exiting the home. While it might seem simple to pick typical exits like the front door, back door, there are a some factors that could effect those areas. Depending on the size of the fire and how much of your home it consumed, it can leave the most obvious exits obstructed. Now it might seem obvious, but the best way to get out of your home in a fire is the quickest route. What if a fire is blocking that route? Well in addition to identifying the fastest way out, you will want to have several contingency options available.

This is especially important if your home has two or more levels. What if a fire is blocking the stairs, how will you get your loved ones out safely? This is when you will want to think about as many possible ways to get out of every room in your home as you can, and make sure all members of your family are familiar with their exit routes, no matter where they are in the home.

Do Several Practice Runs

Remember the drills we mentioned above, that children practice at school? Well you need to also be doing that at home. You just did all this planning and you don’t want it to go to waste or be completely forgotten when things get stressful and chaotic during an actual emergency. You will want to practice your fire exit plan frequently, especially if you have small children or pets that you have to account for. This will help your family members remember the planned exit routes and procedures so everyone can get out safely without panicking. It should become second nature to them. Make sure your kids understand the importance of this practice as well to ensure they take it seriously and pay attention to the details. With practice, you and your family will be well-prepared in the event of a fire.

To learn more about getting the right coverage for your needs, give the Nickerson Insurance Agency a call today!