Does Your Family Have A Home Fire Escape Plan? A Texas Burn Injury Attorney Can Help.

The National Fire Protection Agency recommends that all families develop and practice a home fire escape plan in case of an emergency. However, only about one out of five families have actually developed a plan and shared it with their family. Sadly, although hundreds of thousands of house fires occur every year in the United States, and even though thousands are injured or killed in these blazes, not even close to everyone has taken the time for escape planning.

How can you create and implement a fast and safe fire escape plan for your family today?

• Make sure that each member of your family has two different escape routes out of their room – understanding that an escape route may involve a window.
• Make certain that everyone in the home is familiar with how to open locked doors, bedroom windows, and any security system (such as window bars).
• Draw a floor plan of your home that highlights the best and fastest escape routes.
• Have a plan for the elderly, very young, or disabled members of your family. Partner these family members with a family member who will easily be able to find and assist those who will need help.
• Explain to younger member of your family that escaping the home is more important than rescuing objects, getting dressed, or even finding shoes.
• Have a designated meeting place outside of your home – far enough away so that it will not be affected by the house fire, but close enough that everyone can reach it quickly.
• Test your fire escape plan twice a year. Don’t hesitate to have one planned test and one unannounced test to make the situation as real as possible. A night drill is recommended.

Have you or a family member been injured or killed in a preventable fire, or a fire caused by a defective product? Speak with a Texas burn injury and smoke inhalation attorney today about your case.