A fire drill may save lives should disaster strike

Press, 27 April 1989, Page 32

A fire drill may save lives should disaster strike

It is a fact that most fires resulting in death in the homes occur at night when most people are asleep. Waking up to find your home full of smoke, with possibly flames outside your bedroom door makes it hard not to panic — and makes it hard to rescue or warn others in the house. A well-planned evacuation scheme in your home which everyone knows and has practised, will go a long way in reducing panic and ensuring a quicker exit from the house. Your plan should include:

• Means of alarm: Your alarm could consist of a whistle hung on a hook behind each bedroom door. It could be a hand bell, but this requires one person to take responsibility to wake up and raise the alarm. The whistles, one in each room as well as home smoke detectors, may possibly be the best combination.

• Exit routes: Plan two routes out of every room in the house, especially bedrooms. Ensure children know how to use their exits, how to open windows and how to get from the window to the ground. Make sure windows open sufficiently to allow adults to climb out. Ensure that windows are not stuck or jamming at locks or sills. • Assistance: Make sure that the older people assist the youngest — the fit the handicapped or elderly. • Telephones: Make sure that you all know where the nearest telephone and the nearest alternative telephones are.

Make sure the children know the correct procedure if they discover fire. The correct procedure is, when fire breaks out. ® Raise the alarm. 0 Make sure everyone is out. 0 Make sure someone calls the Fire Service giving the correct details — name, address, cross street, town, and what is burning. Adults may, if there is no danger and the area has been cleared and the Fire Service called, attack the fire with garden hose or extinguishers. 0 Your meeting place: A safe meeting place away from the house must be established so that heads can be counted quickly to determine whether all are safe, and in a position to direct the Fire Service to the fire. O Practice: You should discuss your plan with alb the family to make sure everyone knows why a plan is necessary. It is best to make your plan together as a family project — some good ideas may come from the children. Once you have your plan, put it on a piece of cardboard. Include a plan of the house with the main and alternative exits, and meeting point marked. Pin your plan up where all can see it, family, friends and babysitters. Practise your plan at least twice yearly (possibly more in the beginning) both at night and in the day time. If you require any further information contact your lochl Fire Brigade.