The Antigua and Barbuda Fire Department is urging residents to go beyond simply owning a smoke alarm — every household needs a detailed, room-by-room fire escape plan. According to Antigua Observer, the department says hurricane season is the ideal time for families to develop and practise such plans.
Assistant Superintendent Lester Bagot, the department's public relations officer, cautioned that too many residents rely on a general familiarity with their home's layout, assuming they would know what to do in the event of a fire. That assumption, he warned, can prove dangerous in a real emergency.
Bagot stressed that a smoke alarm, while essential, is only the first line of defence. Knowing exactly how to exit each room of a home — and having that plan rehearsed — can mean the difference between life and death when smoke and panic reduce visibility and clear thinking.
The Fire Department's call to action comes as the region moves deeper into the Atlantic hurricane season, a period when households are already encouraged to review emergency preparedness measures. Officials are urging residents to take advantage of this period of heightened awareness to also address fire safety within the home.
As reported by Antigua Observer, the department is encouraging all households to sit down as a family, map out escape routes from every room, identify a safe outdoor meeting point, and ensure that all members — including children and the elderly — are familiar with the plan.
