If fire breaks out in your home, you will have less than three minutes to evacuate the burning house. Consequently, you must have smoke detectors in good operating condition.
Make sure that you have sufficient smoke detectors and that they are installed in the right places in the home.
Test the detectors at least twice a year when the time changes.
Preparing an evacuation plan
Your evacuation plan should include
- emergency exits (main door, windows, patio door).
- two access ways to the emergency exits per room.
- the meeting point, located outside and accessible in all seasons.
- the location of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, and portable fire extinguishers.
Know what to do before, during, and after a fire.
Learn what to do if you have to evacuate your home and conduct a yearly evacuation drill.
Conducting an evacuation drill
Think of a possible fire scenario.
Choose the date and time of your evacuation drill and the fictitious location in the home where the fire would start.
Check that your smoke detector alarms are working properly before conducting your evacuation drill. If they are connected to a central monitoring station, inform your provider first before testing them.
Conduct an evacuation drill at least once a year, with everyone living in your home, following these steps:
- Sound the smoke alarm.
- Time your evacuation.
- Evacuate your home, according to your evacuation plan, trying to do so in less than three minutes.
- Once outside, proceed to the meeting point.
- Review your evacuation and make improvements for the future.
