If you live in a building with more than one floor to it (so I think that includes everything except bungalows – and we all know that they are only for old people anyway! Lol) there are certain fire protection issues that you need to consider.
There are the usual things that apply to all buildings – making sure you have smoke detectors, that they are positioned in the right places, and, most importantly, that they are working (no flat batteries). Also, making sure that you have appropriate extinguishers is also important. But I reckon that one of the most important things is making sure that you have an escape route planned out.
Now I know that planning your escape route in case of a fire sounds a bit time-consuming and silly, but in an emergency, you’ll be glad that you took the time to do it. Looking at things like where door keys are kept is a good place to start. You need to make sure that you would be able to get to them in the middle of the night when it’s all smokey. It’s all very well making your way to the front door, but itf you can’t unlock it then you’re in trouble.
Getting back to the bit about houses with more than one floor though, have you thought about what you’d do if the fire was on the stairs in your house? You wouldn’t be able to get to the doors to get out of the building, as you couldn’t get down the stairs, and throwing yourself out of a first or second storey window isn’t a hugely appealing option (broken bones are never a good look). So what to do…?
Well, how about a fire escape ladder?
X-IT is a company that makes (unsurprisingly) the X-IT Fire Escape Ladder. Now the clue here is most definitely in the name. It’s a ladder that you can use to escape in case of a fire. The way it works is thus (and pay attention, because this is quite complicated stuff)
HOOK the ladder onto the inside of your window sill. DROP the ladder outside your window, ensuring that the stand-offs are facing towards you and the hook is fixed securely to the inside of you windowsill. The ladder will extend under its own weight.
And that is it. Amazingly simple. And just to prove how simple it is, here’s a shiny video showing it in action.
So, as you can see even a six year old can use it. One of these ladders is a really useful addition to your fire safety equipment, and it can mean the difference between life or death if you get caught upstairs in your house.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a really good Idea and like you stated, should be in every home above the ground floor. As a matter of interest, how many people actually own portable fire escape ladders ? is there any reports on national statistics for the amount of people who own fire escape ladders and how well are these types of escape ladders selling ?
I am sorry to say that there are no statistics on something like this and the trade is too competitive/secretive to collaborate and issue sales figures. It is just common sense that a fire escape ladder is a great and inexpensive idea for any home with a 2nd floor
Jason
Thanks Jason,
I thought that I must have been looking for the wrong informmation but infact you have cleared my frustration. It is very true that all of the companies I have approached in regards to number of sales were very secretive. Not sure how they avoid the Tax-man when they are doing their accounts at the end of the financial year though… Are you the CEO or Rep for Fire Protection online.co.uk ?
Hi Tony,
I’m the marketing manager here, glad I was able to help.
I know a number of the companies are very secretive, its just something we don’t buy into here at Fire Protection Online.
I won the Gold Medal at The British Inventors Society Annual Show for my version of a Fire Escape Ladder. My Escape ladder was praised by The British Safety Council and is the only Escape ladder which has been recognised by the London Fire & Civil Defence Authority. I have been set a challenge by one of the worlds wealthiest Land & Property Owner, who has asked me to win the endorsement of a Major Insurance Organisation then he will fund the mass production of My Fire escape Ladders. Would you like to help me achieve this challenge, which would ultimately revolutionise home safety in the UK and help to promote your Organisation?