Kids Safety
Make a fire escape plan
Learn how to make a fire escape plan for your own home! Sparky will show you what you need to know to make your fire escape plan:
Step 1: Draw a floor plan of your home |
Create a floor plan of your home using our WFD template |
Step 2: Include all possible emergency exits |
In your plan, draw all walls, doors, windows and stairs. This will show you and your family all possible escape routes. |
Step 3: Include any features that could help you escape |
Doors and windows are escape exits from your home. Ask yourself:
These features can be useful in an emergency, however, you must make sure that all escape routes are practical and usable. Please refer to "Fire Escape Plan" tab on this website for additional information. |
Step 4: Plan two escape routes from each room |
There is a main exit from every room. Use it if there is no apparent danger. If you are unable to use the main exit because of smoke or fire, you must have an alternate exit. The second exit is usually the window. The second exit must be practical and easy to use.
Give special consideration to planning escape routes from the bedrooms as most fires occur at night when everyone is sleeping. Make sure that the occupant of that bedroom is able to use the second exit. |
Step 5: Determine whom may need help to escape |
Decide in advance who will help the very young, elderly or persons that may have physical or cognitive limitations that reside in your household. A few minutes of planning will save valuable seconds in an emergency. |
Step 6: Choose a place outside where everyone will meet |
Choose a meeting place that everyone will remember. It is a good idea to choose a spot at the front of your home or close to your neighbour's house. Everyone must know to go directly to this meeting place so he or she can be accounted for. No one should go back into a burning building for any reason. |
Step 7: Call the Woodstock Fire Department from a neighbour's home |
Once at the meeting place, someone can be sent to the neighbour's home to call WFD by dialing 911. Include the neighbour's name and 911 phone number on your plan. Always remember to dial 911 in an emergency (non-emergency number for Woodstock is 519-537-2323). |
Step 8: Make sure everyone is familiar with the fire escape plan |
Review the entire plan with everyone. Discuss each bedroom's primary and secondary escape routes. Ensure that all children know the plan. Walk through the escape routes for each room with the entire family. Use this walk-through exercise to check your escape routes, making sure all exits are practical and easy to use. It is important that all windows will open and that no heavy furniture blocks any escape route. If escape ladders or ropes are to be used, make sure they are accessible and that the appropriate individual is capable of using them. |
Step 9: Practice your fire escape plan |
After reviewing the floor plan with the members of your household, conduct a practice to ensure that everyone knows what to do. Practice your escape plan every six months or at least once a year. In a real fire, you must react without hesitation as your escape routes may be quickly blocked by smoke or flames. Your practice drills will ensure that everyone knows what to do when fire strikes. |
Use our free Fire Escape Plan grid to draw a floor plan of your home. Show all doors and windows and two ways out of every room. Mark the meeting place outside your home.
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