All homeowners should have a fire emergency plan to follow in case of a disaster. That means creating safety procedures ahead of time and knowing who to call when everyone is out of the house. From learning about board-up services to escape routes, here are some tips on creating evacuation procedures to keep your loved ones safe in a fire and restore your home afterward.

4 Steps for Your Fire Safety Plan

1. Establish Exit Routes

The National Fire Protection Association recommends drawing a map of your house, including all the doors and windows. Then, walk your family through the home, establishing two ways to get out of each room. Try to open every window and door to ensure each offers a potential escape route. If you have young children or disabled family members, assign others to assist them in the evacuation.

2. Designate a Meeting Place

Everyone in the family must know where to go during a fire after getting out of the house. Establish a location to meet on or near the property that’s several hundred yards away from the house. This way, you’ll be safe from burning debris and can assess if there is anyone left inside the structure. Once here, call the local emergency services to put out the blaze and potentially look for anyone who has not met at the assigned point. Use either a cellphone or a neighbor’s line.

3. Practice Multiple Escape Options

Rehearse what would happen if there was a fire so that everyone can go through the motions of getting to safety. Tell the family you’ll conduct a practice run at a random time. On the day, alert everyone that it’s time for the fire drill and have them get out of the house and meet at the predetermined location. Then, debrief about how it went. Discuss what you could have done differently, and note if there are changes that can get people to safety more efficiently. For example, if someone wasted time trying to gather belongings, assure them that you can replace belongings; their life is more important.

4. Have Emergency Phone Numbers Handy

If a fire occurs, you won’t just need to call 911. Along with the immediate emergency call, know the phone number for your homeowners insurance to report the incident. It’s also helpful to identify companies that offer board-up services and disaster restoration. Install these numbers in your cell phones so that you can access them easily. That way, you can call them as soon as possible to return the house to livable condition.

Homeowners interested in board-up services after a fire should contact The Board Up Co. in St. Louis County, MO. The locally owned and operated company is open 24/7 every day of the year to offer safety barriers, structural stabilization and shoring, board-up services, and more. Call the Chesterfield-area company at (314) 954-3200 or visit the website for information on their efficient, reliable services for commercial and residential customers.