Rashid Minhas
Fires at home spread fast, and smoke is the biggest danger. A plan that everyone in the house knows by heart turns panic into action.
Step 1: Draw a floor plan
Sketch each floor of your home and mark two ways out of every room — usually a door and a window.
Step 2: Choose a meeting point
Pick a safe spot outside, such as a neighbour's gate or a lamp post, where everyone gathers so you can count heads.
Step 3: Fit and test smoke alarms
Install a smoke alarm on every level and test it monthly. Replace batteries once a year.
Step 4: Keep basic equipment ready
- A fire blanket in the kitchen
- A small multi-purpose extinguisher in an easy-to-reach place
- A torch by each bed
Step 5: Practise
Run a fire drill twice a year, including once at night. Teach children to crawl low under smoke, to feel doors for heat before opening them, and never to go back inside.
Get out, stay out and call the fire service from outside.