Creating a Family Fire Emergency Plan is a crucial step in protecting your loved ones, including your children and pets. A well-thought-out plan ensures everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire, reducing panic and saving lives. Here’s Tintéan Séan’s step-by-step guide tailored for families in Ireland to help you prepare.

1.Start with a Home Fire Safety Audit

Before creating your plan, conduct a fire safety audit or walk of your home.

Check for:

Working smoke alarms on every floor and in key areas like bedrooms and hallways
Fire hazards such as overloaded sockets or unattended candles
Easy access to fire extinguishers and fire blankets, particularly in high-risk areas like the kitchen or home office

2.Map Out Escape Routes

Draw a floor plan of your home and mark two escape routes for each room.

Ensure all windows and doors can be easily opened and are free from obstruction. Know where your keys are at night.
Identify a safe meeting point outside the home, such as the front gate or a neighbour’s driveway

3.Involve Children in the Planning

Children need to be actively involved in the process so they understand the plan and feel prepared.

Here’s how:

Explain the dangers of fire in an age-appropriate way
Show them how to identify a smoke alarm sound and respond by following the escape route
Practise crawling low under “smoke” by creating mock drills
Teach them to “stop, drop, and roll” if their clothes catch fire

4.Include Pets in Your Plan

Pets are often overlooked in emergency planning, but their safety is just as important.

To protect them:

Assign an adult family member to take responsibility for pets during an evacuation (Remember: You should never put your own life at risk)
Keep collars, leads, and pet carriers in easily accessible locations
Place a “Pets Inside” sticker on your front window to alert fire brigade
Train pets to respond to their names and come when called

5.Practise Regular Fire Drills

A plan is only effective if everyone remembers it:

Test smoke alarms weekly to ensure they’re working
Practise evacuating along the escape routes
Time how long it takes to get everyone, including pets, to the meeting point.

6.Teach Emergency Contact Details

Ensure everyone knows how to:

Dial 112 or 999 for emergency services in Ireland.
Clearly state their EIRCODE to responders
Avoid re-entering the home once evacuated

7.Stock Up on Fire Safety Essentials

Equip your home with products to aid your escape such as

Smoke alarms: Test them weekly and replace batteries at least annually. Early warning saves lives!
Fire extinguishers: Choose suitable extinguishers for domestic use such as the multipurpose ABC Dry Powder and have one on every floor
Fire blankets: Keep them in the kitchen for small fires or on each floor as they can also be used to wrap around a person in the event that clothing catches fire
Escape ladders: Ideal for homes with upper floors

8.Plan for Special Circumstances

Consider additional needs:

If someone in the household has mobility issues, plan how to assist them
If you have visitors or guests, plan how to assist them. Remember they may not be familiar with the layout of your home

9.Review and Update the Plan

Life changes, and so should your Fire Emergency Plan. Update it if you:

Move house
Renovate your home
Welcome new family members, including pets

Preparing a Family Fire Emergency Plan doesn’t take long, but it can save precious time in the event of fire. By involving children, considering pets, and practising regularly, you can ensure your loved ones are ready for the unexpected.

Take the first step today and protect what matters most. Shop Now at www.fireproductsdirect.ie

Remember: If you Discover a Fire

Raise the alarm

Evacuate the premises

Call 999 or 112

Only tackle the fire if safe to do so

Be Smart. Be Prepared. Be Safe.