A Message from the Chief Fire Officer: Celebrating Five Years of Leadership and Announcing Retirement
The dangers of breathing in smoke
In an emergency like a house fire, every second counts. Smoke can build up in the air very quic...
Escape Plans
It’s always best to know what you’d do in an emergency before you have one.
This can make the difference between life or death if you have a fire in your home.
Please follow our advice to make sure you plan and know your emergency escape route before you need it.
The dangers of breathing in smoke
In an emergency like a house fire, every second counts. Smoke can build up in the air very quickly. This can make you cough and feel very unwell. Eventually, it can even cause you to lose consciousness. The quicker you get out of the smoky atmosphere, the better.
By planning ahead, you can make sure everyone in your household knows what to do in these situations. This will protect you and your loved ones when you need it most.
Smoke alarms
Safety starts with having working smoke alarms. You should have one on each floor of your home.
Take the time to plan what you’d do in an emergency. Think about where everyone sleeps, in case the alarm sounds in the night. It can help to draw a floor plan and think about which routes everyone would take to safety.
Keep corridors and doorways clear so everyone can get out.
Making an escape plan
Follow our quick guide to help you make your own escape plan:
Draw a floor plan to help you visualise the building. Your drawing skills don’t have to be perfect!
Mark where everyone sleeps.
Highlight the potential escape routes out of the building. Include alternatives in case one is blocked by a fire.
Think about where you could take refuge if all your escape routes are blocked.
Make sure everyone knows where to meet outside.
Don’t reenter the building after you have escaped.
Remember: if you have a fire in your home, get out, stay out, and call us out via 999.
Do not attempt to put the fire out yourself. This is why many people get hurt.
Other Things to Consider
Your escape route should be to a door or a window. These will likely be locked at night. Think about where you store your keys and if everyone has access to them – don’t be trapped inside when you could have gotten out.
If you do become trapped, try to close the door between you and the fire. Block the gaps around the door’s edges with clothing or other materials like curtains. Do not break a window, but open one if it’s safe to do so.
If you live in a rented property, make sure you know your landlord’s escape plan.
