Evacuation Planning in the Event of a Fire

9/13/2019 (Permalink)

Emergency Evacuation Planning and Its Importance

Home Fire Evacuation Plan: What to do before, during and after a fire

Can you imagine experiencing a house fire and NOT having an evacuation plan? An evacuation means you have to move quickly and effectively, while making sure that nothing is forgotten. SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall recommends having a plan in place so you are prepared to go at a moment’s notice.

Here are some tips to do before, during, and after a fire.

Before A Fire Evacuation

Preparation is the most important part of a good evacuation plan. There are several things you do before a fire to make sure you are prepared.

Disaster Relief Kit

A disaster relief kit, sometimes called a go bag, contains any essentials that you might need if you have to evacuate in a hurry. Make sure to have extra cash in there, along with extra clothing items, like sweatshirts and footwear. You should also pack emergency health information, but make sure that it is placed in a waterproof bag to keep it safe. Extras of medication should be in there, along with an extra phone charger.

Family Preparation

There are also certain things that everyone in your household should know if there is a fire. For instance, you should pick out a place for everyone to meet up at if you have to leave in a hurry. This can be in front of a neighbor’s house, for example. Make sure that everyone’s phone numbers are saved in all family members phones so that you can easily communicate if you get separated.

During An Evacuation

You will have to think fast while you are evacuating. It is best to already know what you want to do, so you can make the best decisions and keep everyone safe.

Communications

Do your best to keep in touch with everyone from your home at all times. Depending on the cause of your evacuation, there may be power lines down and your phones may not work. Or, you may have family members that cannot get to where you are. Always listen to the instructions from officials, such as the firefighters and police. They have more information and will know what the safest course of action is.

Pets

Do not forget about your pets. Part of your preparation can be to have them well-trained enough to come when you call. Be sure that your pets are in a place where you can easily retrieve them.

Health and Safety

Once you are out of the building, check everyone for injuries and other issues. Emergency responders will be able to give everyone a check over as well. When it comes to being exposed to smoke, there may be unseen issues affecting you, so it is never a bad idea to head to the hospital to get checked out.

After An Evacuation

Once the fire is extinguished, you may be tempted to head back into your home to survey the damage. Do not do so until an authority has stated that it is safe, as damage to the structure may have occurred. In some cases, a home may need to be closed off until it is repaired for family members to enter safely.

The best plan of action at this point is hiring a fire damage restoration professional, such as SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall, to help you restore and rebuild your property.

Experiencing a fire in your home can be overwhelming. But, by being proactive and creating a fire evacuation plan, you are taking the first step towards preparing your family for the unexpected.

*If you ever find yourself in need of Fire Damage Restoration services,

call us at SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall 800-455-9453*