For this activity you will need:
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Five colors of pen, pencil or crayon
- One piece of paper per floor-graph paper works best
On one piece of paper draw an outline of the floor plan on the first floor of your house. Be sure to include all windows and doors. You do not need to include furniture. The example below should help.
Choose one color and mark the location of all smoke detectors. Note this on the legend like this:
*=Smoke Detectors
Repeat that step using different colors for fire extinguishers and flashlights.
Use the fourth color to mark the first exit out of every room. Use the fifth color to mark the second exit out of every room.
Write on the paper in large easy to read letters: THE MEETING PLACE IS...
Go back to the beginning and repeat this for every floor of your house.
Call a family meeting. Review the plan. Walk through the house and test doors, windows, etc. to be sure they are in good operational order in case they are needed. Point out safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and flashlights so that everyone is aware of their location.
Make any necessary adjustments to the plan as a result of your family meeting. All family members should be aware of any adjustments or changes to the fire plan.
Hold a fire drill. Time yourselves. Have a meeting afterward to discuss what went right, what went wrong and what may need to be adjusted. Continue to have fire drills throughout the year. We suggest that you have one sometime during the week every time a family member has a birthday.
Post your escape plan drawings on the refrigerator, bulletin board or some other place where everyone in the family can see them and be reminded of it.
It is a good idea to set up a family safety calendar. This will help you to remember when to check your safety equipment, have fire drills and change the batteries in your safety equipment.
Also, in addition to a fire plan every family should have a disaster kit.
- How to create a disaster supplies kit (American Red Cross)