Firefighters from Singleton Fire and Rescue Station are urging local residents to prepare a home escape plan so that families can escape safely should a fire occur.
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"Accidental home fires by their very nature can catch people unaware," firefighter Meagan Worth told the Singleton Argus.
"Without an escape plan, you are placing the lives of everybody in your home in jeopardy.
"Plan your actions before a fire happens to give you and your family the extra seconds needed to escape alive."
Miss Worth revealed that a home fire escape plan involves identifying escape routes throughout your residency as well as a place to meet once safely outside.
"This is especially important for people with a reduced mobility," she continued.
"Children can easily become disorientated and if they don't have an escape plan, they can waste precious minutes searching for mum or dad or heading the wrong way and getting trapped.
"Parents should show their children how to escape from each room and make sure they know where to meet once they are out of the house."
Last year the Singleton Fire and Rescue crew responded to a total of 315 callouts for 12 month period leading to August.
Tips on preparing a home escape plan:
- Draw a floor plan of your home and make your escape plan, identifying two ways out of each room. Discuss your escape plan with your family/roommates.
- Make sure that windows and screens can be easily opened.
- Provide alternatives for anyone with a disability.
- Decide on a safe outside meeting place e.g. near the letterbox.
- Once you get out, stay out and call Triple Zero (000). Never go back inside a burning building.
- Practice your plan at least twice a year, making sure that everyone is involved.
If you live in an apartment building:
- Learn and practice your building's evacuation plan.
- If you hear the fire alarm, leave immediately.
- Use the stairs - never use a lift/elevator during a fire.
