How to Escape a Fire in Your West Hartford Home

1/20/2021 (Permalink)

During a housefire is not the time to figure out how to get your family safely out of your home. Do it now by following our guidelines.

Deep down, no one expects to have a fire break out in their home, yet that’s exactly what happens to more than 365,000 homeowners each year in the U.S. In a matter of minutes, our sanctuaries can become deathtraps!

What makes it worse is the fact that many home furnishings—such as carpets, upholstery and furniture—are now made of materials that can burn extremely hot and fast. This means that while twenty or thirty years ago, you would have had around fifteen minutes to escape your home, now you may have less than five minutes. Every second counts when a fire breaks out, especially at night, and especially when you’re in shock and under extreme stress.

That’s why you should make a plan now for your family to safely evacuate your home in case of a fire. Create the plan by answering these questions, then make sure your entire household understands it and practice it at least once a year—more is better.

• How will you get out? Identify two ways out of every room, typically a door and a window—both of which should open easily and not be blocked.
• Who needs to get out? Does your household include young children and elderly family members? Assign an adult to help them get out quickly. Children may sleep so deeply that they don’t hear a smoke alarm, and older or disabled folks may have trouble moving quickly.
• Where will you go? Meet in front of your home a safe distance from your house—maybe in a neighbor’s yard, at your mailbox or by a street or stop sign. There, your family will wait for firefighters to arrive—and not re-enter the house for any reason.
• What does the plan look like? Draw a diagram of your house, with the exits from each room and the exit routes from the house clearly marked. Also note the locations of smoke detectors and your outside meeting place.
• Does everyone know the plan? Everyone in the house, including visitors and overnight guests, should be familiar with the escape plan. Household members should practice the plan one or more times a year, including during the nighttime. 
• What if the plan doesn’t work? If your exit routes are blocked, close every door between you and the fire, stuff a towel under the door, call 911 and wait by a window.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of West Hartford has specialized training and experience in fire restoration and cleanup, as well as natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage and mold remediation, and chemical and biohazard cleanup. Call SERVPRO of West Hartford (860.206.6141) any time.

If your home or business suffers damage from a fire, call SERVPRO of West Hartford today at 860.206.6141

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SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from fire, water, mold, sewage, storm, natural disaster and other damage.

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If your home or business suffers damage from a fire, call SERVPRO of West Hartford today at 860.206.6141