How to Make Sure You Are As Prepared as Possible for a House Fire | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

9/4/2020 (Permalink)

An emergency can happen at anytime. Make sure you and your family have a plan.

When you think of a house fire, you are likely to think of news coverage you have seen or
families you have known that have experienced one, but have you considered what you would
do if one happened in your home?

Even small house fires can cause major damage, and because of how rapidly they spread,
making sure you are as prepared as possible before one starts is so important. By knowing
what to do when a fire starts and how to begin the recovery process, you can keep your family
much safer in the event that a house fire does occur.

Preparing Your Household for a House Fire

Designate 2 Exits From Every Room
If your house is multiple stories or has rooms with only one entrance, it is important that you do what you can to give every room two routes of escape in case of a fire. When a fire blocks one
exit, it is important that someone in the room is able to utilize the other. This can be done by
installing emergency ladders in upstairs rooms and making sure that windows open in every
room of the home so your family can get out safely.

Create and Execute an Escape Plan
It is important to not only plan for a fire evacuation, but also to be able to execute it in under two minutes to avoid dangerous smoke inhalation. Plan for everyone in your evacuation plan, including children, elderly family members and pets, to make sure no one is left behind. Once you have a plan drafted, be sure to run drills of it at least every few months so that everyone in the household knows exactly what to do should the smoke alarms sound.

Have a Plan in Place for the Aftermath
Once you escape the home, you should call 911 immediately to get the fire department on their
way to help extinguish the flames. Even if the flames are put out quickly, dangerous smoke and
soot buildup can be present, so it is important to have a plan for restoration as well. If your home has been damaged by a fire, you can count on us for all your restoration needs.

We are here 24/7 to come to your aid after a house fire. Call us anytime to report damage or
learn more.