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Home » fire-escape-ladder » Have an Emergency Escape Plan! Practice it frequently
Fire Escape Ladders -
What To Look For When Choosing
One of the most important features of a home fire escape ladder is the
presence of standoffs. These are
protrusions that hold the ladder
rungs away from the side of the
house. Standoffs help steady the
ladder and allow enough room for
a secure toehold. The more standoffs
on a ladder the better.
Home escape ladders come in two
standard lengths—15 feet and 25
feet. The shorter length is adequate
for most two story bedrooms,
while the longer is used
for three story rooms. Make sure
that the ladder is easily deployed
by the person who is meant to use
it. Also check for the load limit.
Ladders should be rated for at
least 1,000 pounds.
There are permanent fire escape
systems available which are
attached to or built into the house
and are activated by a lever inside
the bedroom. Although much
more stable than a portable fire
escape ladder, their price is
considerably higher.
Where To Get Them
Safety
supply stores
Search on the web or in the yellow pages for
safety
equipment. Many of these
stores carry reasonably priced
escape ladders. Also check under
fire extinguishers for suppliers that
may provide home escape ladders.
Hardware & Department Stores
Local stores may carry escape
ladders on a periodic basis. Check
by calling around to see who is
currently carrying them.
Mail-order Catalogs, Internet
There are a variety of safety
supply companies from which
you can order ladders. This can be
an expedient means of obtaining a
ladder for those who are unable to
purchase them locally.
How To Use Them
Portable ladders work somewhat
like a boat ladder. They are
generally made from aluminum or
heavy plastic chain with rigid bars
as the rungs of the ladder. You
keep them folded up in a box in
your bedroom. When you need to
use the ladder, you hook the top
portion of the ladder over the
window sill and drop the rest out
the window. They can be somewhat
awkward to use, but they
can save your life.
After purchasing a ladder, make
sure that it fits the specific
window for which its intended. If
the ladder is for a child’s room,
have the child practice putting
the ladder out the window. Then
have them practice climbing out,
but do this from a first floor
window. Do this as part of a
family fire drill.
Home Escape Plans
Every home should have an
escape plan in case of a fire. All
family members should be included
in the planning process.
Make plans for anyone with
special needs, such as a baby,
toddler or older person.
Draw a picture of your home
floor plan. Mark the location of
exits (two from every room, if
possible), an outside meeting
place and the closest telephone.
Check the exits from each bedroom.
If the second exit is a
window, can it be opened? Can
someone safely make it to the
ground? Is an escape ladder
needed?
Have a family fire drill to practice
the plan. Start with family members
in their bedroom with the
door closed. An adult should push
the button on the smoke detector
to sound the alarm. Each person
should test the door before opening
it, then follow the way out to
the meeting place. Everyone
should meet there, then one
person can pretend to go call 911.
Evaluate the drill, and make any
changes needed. Review and
practice your plan at least once a
year.
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