Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

To ask how I get out my house if there was a fire? (Diagram)

48 replies

Hfksnbd · 05/04/2019 12:07

I moved into a new house a couple of weeks ago and I'm really scared of a fire starting obviously I try to reduce the risk best I can but not sure how to actually get out with a toddler if one started.

House is a bit in the middle of nowhere so fire brigade would probably take time to get here. Downstairs is all open plan, one big room and because of where the front door is I don't know how we would get out in a fire If one started in the kitchen. (I'm thinking more at night when we are asleep)

There is just me and DD and she is just 2 so can't go through fire safety with her really. I have asked the fire brigade to come and advise but there is a 4 month waiting list.

OP posts:

Original poster

Hfksnbd · 05/04/2019 12:11

Forgot the diagram

To ask how I get out my house if there was a fire? (Diagram)

OP posts:

howmanyleftfeet · 05/04/2019 12:11

Ah, I came for the diagram! Placemarking...

howmanyleftfeet · 05/04/2019 12:11

Cross posts!

howmanyleftfeet · 05/04/2019 12:11

Where are your windows upstairs?

How far is the drop and what's below?

Butternutsqoosh · 05/04/2019 12:12

Out of a bedroom window - you can buy special fold away ladders to go out the window

Merryoldgoat · 05/04/2019 12:12

Fire ladders in the upstairs rooms.

Fire doors ensuring you can stay safe until the fire brigade get there.

Properly tested smoke alarms - they are so sensitive that the smoke will set it off in good time to get out most of the time.

howmanyleftfeet · 05/04/2019 12:12

Also - do you have fire alarms?

RaptorInaPorkPieHat · 05/04/2019 12:13

Fire ladder out a window? Ladder

Passmethecrisps · 05/04/2019 12:17

Proper smoke alarms which are on the mains electricity should alert you so quickly that you can get out the front door.

Pick one window upstairs which opens fully and look at getting ladders installed.

If you don’t have windows which open fully and you couldn’t get downstairs choose one room (bathroom maybe) and shut yourselves in there with wet towels covering the door to block smoke.

This is just what I have gone through in my own head in my house. Not all of our windows open properly and it worries me. Dh thinks I am being a bit daft. Hence my plan for everyone in the bathroom if we genuinely can’t get downstairs. I think in most instances though we would be alerted quickly enough to get the kids and get to ge door. Hopefully anyway

wigglypiggly · 05/04/2019 12:21

You've got two exits downstairs. Upstairs I thought all new windows have to have a exit panel nowadays. Fire extinguisher , smoke alarm, rope ladder, these are things you can buy or ask the fire brigade to come round and give some tips. Ask what type of doors you have, are they internal fire doors.

Original poster

Hfksnbd · 05/04/2019 12:24

Upstairs windows are normal upstairs window height and both go out onto concrete. I have a smoke alarm at the top of the stairs and a heat detector in the kitchen. Both work.

Fire ladder is a good idea, Thank you for the link, I didn't know they were a thing

OP posts:

Ironmanrocks · 05/04/2019 12:31

if there's a fire in the kitchen you would go out of the patio doors....fire the other end and you would leave by the front door. Unless the stairs are too close to the kitchen area? If you have smoke/heat alarms you will be woken before the fire is so bad you can't pass it. I would imagine. Places have to pass fire regs - especially if you are renting.

xWholeLottaRosiex · 05/04/2019 12:48

In Scotland, you can call the Fire & Rescue service (normal phone number, not emergency line!) and book an appointment for them to come out and do a fire safety check in your home. They highlight best positioning for smoke detectors, help make an escape plan and alert you to any possible dangers i.e. over-used plugs etc. I'm in Scotland, so not sure if it will be the same else where in the UK but 100% worth a wee phone call any way!! Extra bonus: you get nice firemen turn up at your house

Lllot5 · 05/04/2019 13:09

I wonder how close the stairs are to the kitchen? If smoke alarm works you should be able to exit through the front door still.

TeddyIsaHe · 05/04/2019 13:16

You can give the fire brigade a call and they will come and do a fire safety check with you and plan your escape route. There should be info about it on your council website.

Get some fire extinguishers and a fire blanket. Make sure keys are accessible at all times. A fire ladder is a good idea for upstairs.

HerRoyalNotness · 05/04/2019 13:20

Your DD is not too young to start teaching her. First thing is to teach her not to hide but to keep yelling out for you and stay where she is or wait on the landing for you if she is upstairs.

Socksey · 05/04/2019 13:21

If there is no window in the bathroom don't lock yourselves in there.... how do you think the fire services will get to you....
Put smoke alarms....
Fire most likely to start in kitchen so focus on being able to retrieve DC out of back bedroom as quickly and easily as possible. If no access down stairs due to fire. Go to front bedroom and await rescue or escape out that window.

Socksey · 05/04/2019 13:22

Btw... thinking of a fire when all upstairs in bed...

thecatsthecats · 05/04/2019 13:33

I am in the habit of picking out a window for an upstairs exit when I live somewhere.

At work, our official fire plan is to scale a ladder down the 18ft drop on the taller side of the building, down to a road with active traffic.

If a fire breaks out, I will be anarchically exiting through the front window, onto the porch roof and a mere 9ft drop (less 6ft hang and drop) into the untraffic-burdened carpark. Actually I'd then move a car under the porch so people could practically walk out.

But then I have thought about this too often!

FrogFairy · 05/04/2019 14:07

In addition to the great advice you have already had, get into the habit of switching off sockets over night where practical and never run the dishwasher, washing machine or tumble dryer at night.

Cornettoninja · 05/04/2019 14:12

@raptorinaporkpiehat thank you so much for posting that link, I’m another who had no idea for ladders were a ‘thing’

DemelzaPoldarksshinerrefiner · 05/04/2019 15:27

If you ever need to break the actual double glazed glass unit, you have to use something sharp like a hammer in one of the lower corners. (Things just bounce of the centre - you will be wasting time and energy) if you break glass and can -lay a folded large towel over the frame bottom to help minimse crawling out injuries if you need to place your daughter on the ledge to help her out. Have you opened all windows as far as they will go. To see if you have designated escape windows already ?

UbbesPonytail · 05/04/2019 15:32

Yes to a fire ladder. Alternative (as advised by fire crew in my family) is to lob a mattress out the window IF safe to do so.

We also positioned our shed so that from every window upstairs we can climb out onto a roof - front leads to a bay, middle bedroom to the extension, back onto shed. And make sure you know where your window keys are.

UbbesPonytail · 05/04/2019 15:34

Also, to alleviate your fears about being in the middle of nowhere, I was once in a car accident in the middle of nowhere and five retained crews were with us within ten minutes of me ringing 999.

Nottobesoldseparately · 05/04/2019 15:36

4 months for a home fire safety check?

Can I ask where you are as that's ridiculous. No way should it be taking that long, no matter how busy the local station is.

Flip

1 2