I recently attended a training course A-first. This company provides courses on fire prevention. And they make you think about a good evacuation plan. Definitely recommended if you can ever follow this!
For some time now I have owned various fire, CO2 and water sensors that send a message to my mobile phone in the event of an alarm. The underlying idea was mainly that I would receive a message on my mobile phone in case of danger. If I was sitting in the garden, at the neighbors, going to the store, etc., I could quickly go home to see what was going on.
Through the training A-first I thought I no longer wanted to look at the problem, but wanted to escape the problem. This alone was a serious behavioral change. And I started to draw up a disaster scenario, so to speak. What if, for example, smoke develops? What would you prefer in such a situation?
If you have home automation, let it help you as best as possible. Because that's what it's for, right? With a few small interventions (scripts) you can save a life. So do it!
Fire!!!

My fire scenario works today with some fairly simple steps. Below you will find the trigger and the resulting actions.
Alarm (input)
- Smoke (or heat) detected
Actions (output)
- Siren activate
> To wake up when asleep - All turn off electricity
> Eliminate any source of fire - A few strategic lamps
> Create a clear escape route - Fence and open gates
> Escape route, and also quick access for the fire brigade - Curtains to open
> Less flammable material
And better visibility, also from the outside in - Message to different mobile phones
> When no one is home
Comments
If you have an electrical fire, you would want to get the electricity out of there as quickly as possible. Even in the event of a chip fire, you want to turn off the heating element as quickly as possible.
Take solar panels into account!
If it is dark, you don't want to panic looking for a switch. Don't make too much light, just light where you should flee. This could be, for example, to the front or back door. Depending on where the fire develops…
Avoid lighting with transformers. It is always possible that this is precisely the cause of the fire.
Provide easy access for the fire brigade. What if they lose just a few minutes opening a gate, gate, door...? If you can open or unlock it, why not!
Be careful not to open a gate where the fire is located. You can then provide extra air to the seat of the fire.
Send a message to different mobile phones. This includes a report of which sensor (=where!) detected smoke or heat.
Some interesting websites are:
- https://112.be : By the way, always say one-one-two instead of one hundred and twelve! The message comes across much better.
- https://leefbrandveilig.be : Did you know that it is statistically better to eat where you have to pay afterwards? People flee much faster…
- https://afirst.be: Have you discussed your evacuation plan with your family yet?