Why you need a Home Evacuation Plan

A well-planned home evacuation can make the difference between safety and tragedy in emergencies such as fires, gas leaks, or natural disasters. Being prepared involves knowing how to leave your home quickly and safely, identifying exit points, and ensuring clear space routes.

Let’s consider what a Home Evacuation is.

Home evacuation refers to the process of leaving your home swiftly in response to an emergency. Knowing the fastest and safest way to exit the house is critical, whether it’s a fire, a flood, or another urgent situation. Developing a plan ensures that everyone in the home can evacuate quickly and safely, reducing confusion during an emergency.

A home escape plan is particularly useful for multi-level homes and apartment buildings.

You want to make sure that in the “unlikely” event of a fire outbreak or other incident, you have the means to quickly exit your property.

Is your home evacuation-friendly?

In the last few years, we have heard devastating stories of families who were trapped in their homes because they had only one exit which was obstructed, or they couldn’t reach it in time.

One of the reasons for this is that many homes in Nigeria are built for security and often ignore SAFETY.

We build to prevent burglaries but forget the internal threats that can occur.

Other reasons include:

1. Low enforcement of building codes,
2. Lack of awareness and
3. Budgetary concerns for developers and homeowners.

Creating an Evacuation Plan

Here are a few questions to ask when considering a home escape plan.

• How many exit points do I have in my home?
• Do I have an exit point on each floor?
• Will I need an evacuation ladder?
• Do the people in my home know what to do in an emergency?
• Are the access points actually “accessible” and are keys within reach?
• Do I have any devices to alert me of an emergency, including smoke and fire alarms, security alarms, etc?

Four Critical Steps of Home Evacuation

Here is a list of the key building blocks of an escape plan for your home.

1. Establishing Exit Points

Exit points are the locations for individuals to leave their homes during an emergency. These need to be identified and accessible to all occupants, including children, the elderly, or people with disabilities.

Main Exits: The front door and back door should always be considered primary exit points. Ensure these doors are always unobstructed and can be opened easily.

Windows as Secondary Exits: Why we considered security and put burglaries on windows, it is important to know that in the case of a fire or if primary exits are blocked, windows can serve as secondary escape routes. Ensure that windows can be opened from the inside without the need for special tools. Consider installing escape ladders for second-story windows.

Garage and Basement Exits (If any): If your home has a garage or basement, make sure there are clear paths leading to the exits in these areas. Keep keys or access codes nearby in case you need to leave quickly.

Balcony or Rooftop Exits: For homes with upper floors, a balcony or rooftop might serve as an emergency escape route. Ensure there is access to a fire escape ladder or a safe way to get down from elevated positions.

2. Maintaining Exit Points

Unblock All Exits: Ensure exit points are not blocked by furniture, debris, or other items that could hinder a swift exit.

Ensure Accessibility: Ensure locks and handles on doors and windows are working and easy to operate during an emergency.

Practice Opening Exits: Regularly practice opening all exit points, especially windows or alternative exits that are rarely used. This helps ensure everyone knows how to access them during an emergency.

3. Creating Clear Exit Routes

Space routes are the clear paths you and your family will take to reach an exit. These routes should be planned to avoid obstacles, ensuring a swift and safe exit.

Identifying and Planning Space Routes

Direct Pathways to Exits: Design routes that lead directly from living spaces to the nearest exit points. For instance, from the bedroom, kitchen, or living room, identify the quickest way to leave the house. Ensure they are:

• Unobstructed pathways
• Have adequate lighting.
• Marked as escape routes.

Alternative Routes: Plan for more than one evacuation route in case the primary path is blocked by fire or debris. This redundancy helps ensure everyone can escape regardless of the nature of the emergency.

4. Special Considerations for Children, Elderly, and Disabled Individuals

For family members with mobility challenges, extra care should be taken when planning evacuation routes.

Wider Pathways: Ensure space routes are wide enough for wheelchairs, walkers, or individuals who need assistance.

Assistance Plans: Assign a family member to assist individuals who need help evacuating. Ensure everyone knows their role during an emergency.

Prioritizing Safety Through a Home Evacuation Plan

A safe home evacuation plan begins with proper preparation. Identifying and maintaining clear exit points and creating unobstructed routes are essential in any emergency. By ensuring that every family member knows the safest paths and exits, practising evacuation drills, and regularly updating your plan, you can help protect your family from harm in a variety of potential emergencies.

For assistance in creating your Home Evacuation Plan, reach out today.