Creating 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 a good idea to create 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-designed evacuation plan can literally save lives. It provides step-by-step instructions on what to do in the event of, for example, a fire, smoke, a gas leak, or other emergencies. For childcare centers and schools, creating an evacuation plan is not only necessary—it’s actually required. Read on to learn what requirements a good evacuation plan must meet.
What is an evacuation plan?
An evacuation plan will therefore help you and your organization evacuate everyone safely, without panic. But what exactly does creating an evacuation plan entail? By an evacuation plan, we mean a written document that describes how people in the building can leave safely and quickly. It may include the following, among other things:
- Evacuation routes and (emergency) exits
- Division of Responsibilities During an Evacuation
- The location of evacuation aids
- A designated outdoor location where everyone can gather
- A clear procedure for checking on those present and alerting emergency services
It’s important to remember that an evacuation plan isn’t just a document you draw up once and then forget about. Situations can change—new spaces, renovations, or changes in staff are all factors that can affect evacuation routes. It is therefore important to update your evacuation plan from time to time to keep it current.
Why create an evacuation plan?
In emergency situations, panic often sets in: smoke limits people’s visibility, noise makes communication difficult, and the time to act is limited. That’s why creating an evacuation plan is important. It helps prevent chaos and ensures that everyone knows what to do. At organizations such as daycare centers or other facilities where young children are present, it is especially important to take into account the fact that many babies and toddlers cannot walk and therefore cannot get themselves to safety.
Are there (frequently) children present at your location? Then Baby-Mover® products, such as our Baby-Mover and Newborn Baby-Mover, will come in handy. Our evacuation carrier makes it possible to carry multiple children at once, allowing staff to act more quickly without having to make multiple trips back and forth. While evacuating the children, the carrier has their hands free to open doors, call emergency numbers, and guide older children by the hand.
Creating an Evacuation Plan for Child Care Facilities
For locations where there are many children or where multiple children are present on a regular basis, such as a daycare center, specific safety requirements often apply. When creating an evacuation plan for childcare facilities, it’s important to take these requirements into account. For instance, there must be a set number of adults present for every x number of children. For example, 1 adult for every 3 babies or children under 2 years of age. In any case, the Baby-Mover is a valuable addition to your evacuation plan. The carrier can be put on like a T-shirt and allows 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 creating an evacuation plan for childcare facilities, also make a note of where evacuation aids such as the Baby-Mover are stored, whether smoke detectors are present, where they are located, and whether they are still functional. Also note where the emergency exit or exits are located and what the best routes to them are. Check from time to time to make sure your evacuation plan is still up to date: a regular check prevents surprises at a time when every second counts.
Want to learn more?
Would you like to receive more information, request a demonstration, or discuss what Baby-Mover® can do for your organization?
We’re happy to help.
Together, we’re working to create a safer environment for babies and young children.