Thousands of house fires occur in Australia each year, causing loss of property, serious injury and death.
A small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire in a matter of seconds, leaving little time for people to safely escape the dangerous situation.
That’s why every family needs a fire escape plan, and practise it at least twice a year to be ready in case of an emergency.
Your family’s fire escape plan
Home I Own - a friend of Buzz Insurance has some useful tips to help you chart your home's fire escape plan.
1. Draw a floor plan of your house and mark two fire escape routes for each room. The NSW fire brigades website has a downloadable Escape Plan Grid.
2. Determine a meeting place outside your house, away from danger.
3. Get out and stay out - don’t re-enter the house, call for help from a payphone, mobile phone or the neighbour’s house.
4. Everyone in the household should practice crawling from their bedroom via the escape route. Plan alternatives for anyone with a disability.
5. Everyone, specially kids, should learn to STAY LOW, GET OUT and STAY OUT! If your clothes catch fire: STOP, DROP, COVER and ROLL until the flames are extinguished.
6. Avoid going through smoke. If you must, don’t walk - crawl.
7. If there’s a closed door in the way, feel it before you open it. If it’s hot - don’t open it, go via another route.
8. Make sure your windows can open from inside. Any door or window that is locked and is without a key can be very dangerous. Fumes are more dangerous than flames, people get disoriented in the thick smoke quickly and there won’t be time to look for the keys.
9. Keep a torch by the bed in case there is a fire at night.
10. Go through the fire drill at least twice a year with your family so everyone in the house is prepared in case of emergency.
If you live in an apartment building, get information about safe living in high rise building from NSW Fire Brigades website. The Fire Protection Association of Australia website also has a number of downloadable fact sheets on residential fire safety.
Get more news, tips and research on Facebook or follow Buzz Insurance on Twitter.
The content, thoughts and opinions stated in this article are of the relevant contributors. Buzz Insurance do not necessarily share or endorse those opinions. Neither Buzz Insurance nor any of its employees makes any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product, or process disclosed.
