How to Keep Fire Exits Clean During the Holidays

How to avoid blocked fire exits in  your home

Are you ready for the holidays? Having a happy home during the holiday season, also means making certain you have a safe home for yourself and your family. Do last minute checking, to make certain that there are no areas of concern. Take time to examine your home together, as if you were fire safety inspectors.

"Danger!"

"Your home has a blocked fire exit!"

A fire could occur quickly in your home, during the holiday season. Having to deal with one, could ruin your family's holiday celebration. You, your family and friends, need to be able to evacuate your home immediately, if there is a fire. 

Getting everyone out of your home, as quickly as possible is extremely important. Be aware that having a blocked fire exit or not being able to access a fire exit during a fire, could cost a life or many lives. Someone could wind up in the hospital with severe burns.

Consider the following tips about how to keep fire exits clear, during the holidays.

Make certain that your doorways and fire exits are not blocked by vehicles parked outside your home. Have unused vehicles moved or towed away, immediately. Put up a ‘ no parking’ sign in front of your doorway or fire exit, if necessary.

Arrange immediate snow removal from all doorways and fire exits, so that they are accessible from the inside and the outside. Use sand or rock salt on your sidewalks or stairs, but do not store it or other items like snow shovels, in an exit, as someone may trip over them.

Do not use your fire exits to store bicycles, large toys or household items. Place them in a proper storage area. Do not leave presents like household appliances, televisions, computer equipment or luggage in a fire exit, even if for a short while. Remove all garbage bags, cardboard boxes or other containers, immediately.

Set up your Christmas tree properly, in a safe area, that does not block access to fire exits. Store extra decorations in a place where they do not interfere with doorways. Keep your decorations to a minimum, in the front entrance to your home.

Place coats, scarves, hats and boots in another room, instead of in fire exits, when there are visitors in your home. Use a bedroom or spare room closet for them.

Keep all flammables including gas cans, barbecues and propane tanks away from fire exits, just in case of a fire.

Store extra air mattresses, blankets and pillows for guests, in a spare room or in a bedroom closet, rather than in a closet located in a designated fire exit.

Draw up an evacuation plan to familiarize your family with the appropriate fire exits for your home. Practice fire drills with your children regularly, using these exits. Make certain that children and guests know how to exit your home, in an emergency. Everyone should be aware that fire exits should not be blocked, at any time.

Do not allow loitering, smoking, drinking or the use of drugs in any fire exits or doorways.

Develop an emergency back-up plan for exiting your home, in case your primary fire exit is not accessible. You and your family may be able to get out of your home by a window or an emergency stairwell as a back i[ plan. Practice your back-up plan regularly.

Teach every family member how to access 911, in case of a fire.

Remember to check your fire exits daily for access. This is important for everyone's safety!