Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VT
Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VT
Teresa Merelman, Broker, Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VTPhone: (802) 793-5171
Email: [email protected]

How to set up a home fire escape plan

by Teresa Merelman, Broker 07/24/2024

House fires can happen at any time, no matter how careful you are with fire prevention. Having a home fire escape plan offers peace of mind and a way to make sure your household can get out of your home safely. Knowing how to create one of these plans should be part of your fire safety and prevention measures. Keep the following tips in mind for setting up your home fire escape plan.

Draw your floor plan

To determine the safest ways to leave your home in the event of a fire, it helps to have a drawing to reference. Draw your home's floor plan on a piece of paper, so you can clearly mark where house members should exit, depending on where a fire occurs. Label all the rooms on your floor plan, so everyone knows which rooms or areas to use.

Plan two escape routes

Having one escape route might not help if a fire breaks out in an area you didn't plan for. Always determine two different escape routes for all household members. For example, where will your escape route be if a fire occurs on the upper level or the lower level? Planning this out in advance helps ensure each member of your household has a safe way to get out of the house no matter where a fire occurs.

Decide on a meeting place

Part of your fire escape plan should include deciding on a meeting place outside your home. Know exactly where to go once everyone's safely outside the house. Keep in mind this meeting place should be located far enough away from your home in case of a major fire.

Practice your home fire escape plan

Putting your home fire escape plan into practice can help you make changes to it as needed. When you run through these plans as part of a fire drill, you might notice certain escape routes don't work. You can then make adjustments to your home fire escape plan to improve it and ensure your household's safety. Practice your escape plan twice a year or more often if needed.

About the Author
Author

Teresa Merelman, Broker

 Teresa's beginnings were at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She was child #5 of 8 and born into an Air Force family that moved all over the United States but usually ended up back in the Washington, D.C. area. Teresa attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received her bachelor's degree in business from George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. Some of her prior careers include: computer buyer in Fairfax, Virginia; Deputy Clerk at the U.S. District Court in Denver, Colorado; Police Officer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Bed & Breakfast owner in Stowe, Vermont. Teresa obtained her license as a Realtor® in 1998. She has been through many ups and downs in this profession and continues to learn every day. She very much enjoys the real estate profession and the wonderful people she has met and assisted along the way. In order to serve her clients and customers, Teresa continually attends classes and seminars. Some of her Designations and Certifications include: 

  • ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative (2003)
  • CBR - Certified Buyer Representative (2000)
  • e-PRO - Internet Certified Professional (2001)
  • CNHS - Certified New Home Specialist (2005)
  • CRS - Certified Residential Specialist (2005)
  • AHS - Accredited Home-Stager Specialist (2008)
  • TRC - Transaction Referral Certification (2009)
  • RSPS - Resort and Second Home Specialist (2009)
  • GREEN - NAR's Green Designation (2009) 
  • SFR - Short Sales & Foreclosures Certification (2009) 
  • SRES - Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation (2012)
  • AHWD - At Home With Diversity (2021)
  • SRS - Seller Representative Specialist (2021)

Teresa has also served and continues to serve on several boards:

  • Lamoille Area Board of Realtors - President and Board of Directors
  • Vermont Association of Realtors - Board of Directors
  • NEREN (MLS) - Board of Directors and Shareholder 
  • Vermont Real Estate Commission - as a member of VAR's Liaison Committee
  • Stowe Vibrancy - Board of Directors - this is a volunteer group that promotes activities in the Village of Stowe

In 2007, Teresa was named Vermont Realtor of the Year.Teresa and her husband, a local attorney, moved to Stowe in 1987. They had two sons and Stowe has been their home for the past 36 years. She still feels the Stowe area is a wonderful place to raise a family, there's always something going on. Teresa can often be found behind the lens of her camera documenting the beauty of the area and its many events.As an update, Teresa's older son is now a Doctor/resident at the University of New Mexico's Emergency Management Program. Her younger son graduated from James Mason University and currently resides in Chicago, IL as a supervisor for OKTA.