Santa says plan your emergency escape route

Santa says: “You should start on your escape plan just in case there’s a fire during the holiday season.”

Every household should have an escape plan just in case the worst happens – you might never need it but it’s important to prepare one so there’s no delay when you need it.

· Plan your escape route together and ensure all children in the household know what to do if there’s a fire

· Set a safe meeting point outside the property where everyone can meet up after escaping

· Make special arrangements for any elderly people in your household who cannot move easily

· Make sure your escape route is practical and always available, not blocked by washing or Christmas presents.

· Is there a room in the house you could take refuge in?

· If possible always have a mobile phone fully charged so you can call for help and keep it close, even when in bed (as landline phones might be affected by a fire)

· Store bedding or a draft excluder there to block the bottom of the door to stop smoke coming in

· Only use an upstairs window to escape from fire if you are in immediate danger

· If there are two adults, one should use the window first to enable any children to be lowered before being dropped.

· Please don’t jump long distances. If you are escaping from an upper bedroom throw out the mattress or bedding to help cushion the landing.

· Leave door and windows keys somewhere everyone knows they are so if fire breaks out everyone can find them.

For more Christmas safety tips visit www.bedsfire.com