Home fires kill a lot of people every year. There are a variety of causes that lead to home fires, but they all spread quickly to other parts of the house. Nearly every thirty seconds a fire can double in size. If you have a two story house then those on the upper floor may not have time to escape before the fire spreads throughout the house. In order to have a quick escape you should consider a fire escape ladder.



Fire ladders were created when safety experts realized the need to engineer a product that can allow safe and quick access to the ground from upper floor windows. In these cases most conventional ladders are not practical since they are bulky and can't be stored well nor be able to maneuver quickly. These issues are addressed with the uniqueness of a fire escape ladder.

Typically you will have two types of fire escape ladders to choose from, affixed and portable. The affixed ladder is one that is permanently attached to windows. The ladder is then released by some sort of release which is most commonly a lever. When the lever is pushed the ladder automatically drops to the ground.

The affixed fire escape ladders are more sturdy and faster to use for those who don't have time to grab and extend a ladder. Although affixed ladders can be more costly than the portable option.

One of the most important features to consider when purchasing portable fire escape ladders is the number of standoffs. The standoff is what protrudes from the ladder to the house which creates a separation and helps to stabilize the ladder. Without these standoffs the ladders would pin against the wall and not allow individuals escaping to have sufficient footholds, making climbing difficult. It is essential to have quick escapes in emergency situations.

Other factors to consider include height, weight, weight tolerance, ease of storage and the ability to quickly secure the ladder to a window sill or roof. All of these factors should be considered based on how you will use the ladder in the event of an emergency. However, all of these issues have been addressed by new designs for portable fire escape ladders.

Portable fire escape ladders can be from two to six stories in length which is ideal for most homes. Most are made from metals and plastics to make them lightweight for quick retrieval and deployment. Many portable fire escape ladders will support up to a thousand pounds of weight so multiple individuals can climb down at the same time.

The collapsible feature of portable fire escape ladders makes them easy to store. Make sure any ladder you choose has conformed to these standards and make sure the grips at the top of the ladders will fit properly with your window sill or roof.

For households the fire escape ladder is an important safety feature to have. In addition to have a fire escape ladder on hand it is a good idea to have a fire escape plan in place for you and your family. Make sure everyone know the plan and how to escape with the fire ladder. Hold practice drills occasionally and make sure you keep your portable ladder in an area where you can easily find it in the event of an emergency.