Natural disasters often hit without warning, necessitating quick action to escape injury. If an emergency hits while you are at home, a home evacuation could become imperative for survival. Every member of your family needs to understand a home escape plan so everyone can respond readily to the emergency. Whether an earthquake shakes your area, a fire breaks out, or a flood threatens your home, having a comprehensive home escape plan can help you think clearly about how to respond.
Your survival during a fire may depend on your ability to get out of your home as quickly as possible. Often, a fire will block standard doorways, making it necessary to exit through a window instead. Make a floor plan of your entire home that includes every doorway and window that could be a possible exit.
Devise an escape plan that will get everyone from their bed to outside of the house by at least two different routes. Each route may include both doorways and windows. If you have second-floor windows, purchase escape ladders for each window to make it possible to get to the ground safely.
Ensure that every window opens easily for every family member. If windows or doors do not function properly, fix them. In an emergency, it's also possible to use a heavy object cushioned with a blanket to break the window glass.
Choose a rendezvous point outside of the house where the entire family will meet. Once you create a fire plan, practice it at least two times each year to keep everyone aware of the plan and comfortable with it.
If you experience flooding in your home, it may be necessary to vacate the premises until the water recedes. Depending on the severity of the flood, escape through a doorway might be possible or you might need to evacuate through an upper-story door or window.
Some homeowners opt to waterproof external walls and install watertight closures over doors. These damage-prevention techniques can minimize flooding as long as the water does not get more than two feet deep.
If a flood threatens, move appliances, electrical objects, and other valuables to a location in the house where flooding is unlikely. Sandbags and plastic sheeting can help minimize flooding damage.
If a hurricane is the cause of the flooding, high winds and storm surges can be a significant danger. The wind can send debris through window and doors, which can cause significant storm damage and potential injury.
Stay indoors during a hurricane or other dangerous wind storm to avoid injury. In your home, avoid areas where wind and debris could potentially invade the house, such as through the roof, doors, and windows. Exterior shutters or temporary plywood can provide extra protection to windows and doorways during a hurricane.
Take cover immediately in the event of an earthquake under a nearby sturdy piece of furniture such as a table or desk. Falling objects are the main danger during an earthquake. Move as few steps as possible to seek cover. If you cannot find a heavy object to hide under, crouch in an inside corner of your home and cover your head and face with your arms.
Avoid outside doors and walls, windows, and glass furnishings in your home during an earthquake. Stay away from objects that could fall on you from above, such as shelving and light fixtures. Do not run to a doorway during an earthquake unless you know with certainty that it is a strong, load-bearing door frame. Most interior doorways are not load-bearing and offer little protection during an earthquake.
Fire Escape Plan Tips
In a fire, smoke may fill your home, making it impossible to see. The smoke contains toxic gases that can also contribute to disorientation and dizziness. With fear and adrenaline pumping and smoke making it difficult to see and breathe, you may not have time to think clearly. These factors make an escape plan imperative for survival in a fire.Your survival during a fire may depend on your ability to get out of your home as quickly as possible. Often, a fire will block standard doorways, making it necessary to exit through a window instead. Make a floor plan of your entire home that includes every doorway and window that could be a possible exit.
Devise an escape plan that will get everyone from their bed to outside of the house by at least two different routes. Each route may include both doorways and windows. If you have second-floor windows, purchase escape ladders for each window to make it possible to get to the ground safely.
Ensure that every window opens easily for every family member. If windows or doors do not function properly, fix them. In an emergency, it's also possible to use a heavy object cushioned with a blanket to break the window glass.
Choose a rendezvous point outside of the house where the entire family will meet. Once you create a fire plan, practice it at least two times each year to keep everyone aware of the plan and comfortable with it.
- Is Your Family Ready for a Natural Disaster?
- Home Escape Plan
- Exit Drills in the Home
- Disaster Preparedness and Response
- Home Fire Safety
- Family Emergency Preparedness Plan
- Plan Your Family Fire Escape
- 30 Tips for Emergency Preparedness
- Information About Home Fire Escape Planning
- Home Fire Escape Drills
- Fire Retardant Shades
Hurricane and Flood Plan
Flooding can be a significant danger in some areas due to weather-related natural disasters. Raising a home above flood level can eliminate some dangers, but impending floodwater may still threaten a home.If you experience flooding in your home, it may be necessary to vacate the premises until the water recedes. Depending on the severity of the flood, escape through a doorway might be possible or you might need to evacuate through an upper-story door or window.
Some homeowners opt to waterproof external walls and install watertight closures over doors. These damage-prevention techniques can minimize flooding as long as the water does not get more than two feet deep.
If a flood threatens, move appliances, electrical objects, and other valuables to a location in the house where flooding is unlikely. Sandbags and plastic sheeting can help minimize flooding damage.
If a hurricane is the cause of the flooding, high winds and storm surges can be a significant danger. The wind can send debris through window and doors, which can cause significant storm damage and potential injury.
Stay indoors during a hurricane or other dangerous wind storm to avoid injury. In your home, avoid areas where wind and debris could potentially invade the house, such as through the roof, doors, and windows. Exterior shutters or temporary plywood can provide extra protection to windows and doorways during a hurricane.
- Flood and Storm Water Information
- Is Your Home Protected from Hurricane Disaster?
- Natural Disasters
- Hurricanes
- Hurricane Preparedness: Be Ready
- Natural Disasters
- Evacuating Yourself and Your Family
- Natural Disasters
- What to Do in a Natural Disaster
- Natural Events and Disasters
- Natural Disasters: Be Aware, Be Prepared
- Hurricane Safety Checklist
- Flood Preparedness and Response
Safety During an Earthquake
If an earthquake occurs, you are safest indoors, so an escape plan during an earthquake is not advisable. Do not exit your home until after the earthquake stops completely. The majority of earthquake injuries occur when people move around inside a home to seek shelter or attempt to leave the building.Take cover immediately in the event of an earthquake under a nearby sturdy piece of furniture such as a table or desk. Falling objects are the main danger during an earthquake. Move as few steps as possible to seek cover. If you cannot find a heavy object to hide under, crouch in an inside corner of your home and cover your head and face with your arms.
Avoid outside doors and walls, windows, and glass furnishings in your home during an earthquake. Stay away from objects that could fall on you from above, such as shelving and light fixtures. Do not run to a doorway during an earthquake unless you know with certainty that it is a strong, load-bearing door frame. Most interior doorways are not load-bearing and offer little protection during an earthquake.
Article written by Lexi Westingate
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