The following article was submitted by guest-blogger, Sydney Lovold of Greater Mankato Growth member business, SERVPRO. June is National Safety Month, so SERVPRO is sharing tips for making and implementing an escape route in the case of a fire. Are you part of a Greater Mankato member business and have an interest in writing a guest blog for us? Send 500-800 words to [email protected] or reach out to Greater Mankato Growth with further questions.  

SERVPRO of Mankato/Owatonna hopes your home or business never has to deal with fire or smoke damage.  Sometimes, a portable fire extinguisher is not enough to save your property and the only thing you can do is escape.

A small flame can turn into a large fire in a matter of minutes. Lives are more important than objects, so get yourself and others out of danger.

SERVPRO of Mankato/Owatonna Offers These Tips for Escape:

• Make an escape plan ahead of time. Make sure everyone knows the plan
• Make sure that all doors and windows open easily
• Plan at least two different ways of escaping every room
• When you leave, close the doors and windows to shut in the flames
• Practice the plan
• Do not stop to pick up valuables. You can replace objects
• Make sure your plan includes a place to meet that is a safe distance from the home
• Do not turn off smoke alarms when you cook. You may need the warning
• If you have to go through smoke, crawl under it

SERVPRO of Mankato/Owatonna reminds you to call the fire department once you are outside the home.

Resources and Tips:

https://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/fire-and-life-safety-equipment/fire-extinguishers

https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Public-Education/Resources/Safety-tip-sheets/EscapePlanningTips.ashx?la=en