Make a Family Emergency Plan: Coordinating Escape Routes When Elevators Are Unreliable and Stairs Are Hard to Reach

Summary

Safety first

• Never attempt to use an elevator during a fire or alarm.
• If pathways are blocked, stay in a designated safe area and signal for help using a phone or alert device.
• Stop and reassess if anyone experiences distress or cannot proceed safely during a drill.
• If mobility aids or evacuation devices are needed, ensure they are easily accessible at all times.
• Reconfirm clear communication with all family members before and during an emergency.

Tools you’ll need

• Notepad or planning app
• Apartment building emergency map or floor plan
• Mobile phone or two-way radios
• Emergency contact list

Materials

• Glow-in-the-dark tape or markers
• Portable emergency alert devices
• Personal emergency evacuation device (e.g., evacuation chair, as appropriate)
• Printed copies of escape plans

Step-by-step

• Gather the whole family and discuss specific mobility needs and limitations.
• Obtain and study the building's emergency evacuation plan and identify all stairwells and exits.
• Map multiple escape routes from your apartment, prioritizing stairwells closest to your unit.
• Mark the routes clearly within your apartment using glow-in-the-dark tape or printed signs.
• Assign a buddy or support person for each member with mobility issues.
• Practice a timed evacuation drill with your family, simulating elevator and stairway outages.
• Choose a safe family meeting spot outside the building and share this information with everyone.
• Update your plan and roles after each drill or building change.

Troubleshooting

• If stairwells are blocked, move to a designated area of refuge and signal for help.
• If communication devices fail, use pre-arranged signals (like flashlight or waving from a window) to attract rescue personnel.
• If a mobility aid is missing, have a contingency plan or backup assistive device stored near exits.
• If family members forget the meeting point, designate an alternate communicated via emergency contacts.

Common mistakes

• Relying solely on the elevator as an escape option.
• Not practicing the plan with all family members, including those with mobility limitations.
• Failing to update the plan after building renovations or changes.
• Forgetting to assign roles or buddies for those needing extra assistance.
• Not clearly marking alternative exit paths in the apartment.

When to call a pro

• If your building does not have accessible evacuation plans or equipment for mobility-limited residents.
• If you are unsure how to use or procure assisted evacuation devices.
• If your family cannot agree on or safely practice emergency procedures.
• If building alarms or emergency signals are unclear or malfunctioning.

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