Drawing up an evacuation plan
Of course, you hope it never happens, but when an emergency arises, you want you and your team to be as well prepared as possible and for everyone to know what to do. That’s why it’s wise to draw up an evacuation plan. An evacuation plan shows the shortest escape route to the (emergency) exit and clearly indicates where all evacuation equipment can be found.
A well-drafted evacuation plan can literally save lives. It sets out, step by step, what needs to be done in the event of, for example, a fire, smoke, a gas leak or other emergencies. For childcare centres and schools, drawing up an evacuation plan is not only necessary, it is actually compulsory. Read on to find out what requirements a good evacuation plan must meet.
What is an evacuation plan?
An evacuation plan will therefore help you and your organisation to evacuate everyone safely, without panic. But what exactly does drawing up an evacuation plan involve? By an evacuation plan, we mean a written document that describes how those present can leave a building safely and quickly. It may include the following, amongst other things:
- Escape routes and (emergency) exits
- The division of tasks during an evacuation
- The location of evacuation aids
- A designated outdoor area where everyone can gather
- A clear procedure for checking those present and alerting the emergency services
It is important to remember that an evacuation plan is not simply a document that you draw up once and then forget about. Situations can change; new premises, refurbishments or changes to staff numbers are all factors that can affect escape routes. It is therefore important to update your evacuation plan from time to time to ensure it remains current.
Why draw up an evacuation plan?
In emergency situations, panic often sets in: smoke restricts people’s vision, noise makes communication difficult, and there is very little time to act. That is why drawing up an evacuation plan is important. It helps to prevent chaos and ensures that everyone knows what they need to do. In organisations such as nurseries or other settings where young children are present, it is particularly important to bear in mind that many babies and toddlers cannot walk and are therefore unable to get themselves to safety.
Are there (regularly) children present at your venue? If so, Baby-Mover® products, such as our Baby-Mover and Newborn Baby-Mover, will come in very handy. Our evacuation harness makes it possible to carry several children at once, enabling staff to act more quickly without having to walk back and forth multiple times. Whilst evacuating the children, the person carrying them has their hands free to open doors, call emergency numbers and guide older children by the hand.
Drawing up an evacuation plan for childcare centres
For venues where there are many children or where several children are present on a regular basis, such as a childcare centre, specific safety requirements often apply. When drawing up an evacuation plan for childcare centres, it is important to take these requirements into account. For instance, there must be a fixed number of adults present for every x number of children. For example, 1 adult for every 3 babies or children under the age of 2. The Baby-Mover is, in any case, a valuable addition to your evacuation plan. The harness can be put on like a T-shirt and enables the wearer to carry up to three children at once. This saves time and increases the chances of survival in the event of a fire or other emergencies.
When drawing up an evacuation plan for childcare centres, also make a note of where evacuation aids such as the Baby-Mover are stored, whether smoke alarms are present, where they are located and whether they are still in working order. You should also note where the emergency exit or exits are located and what the best routes to them are. Check from time to time that your evacuation plan is still up to date: a regular check prevents surprises at a time when every second counts.
Would you like more information?
Would you like to receive more information, request a demonstration or discuss what Baby-Mover® can do for your organisation?
We’d be happy to help you further.
Together, we are working to create a safer environment for babies and young children.