An evacuation plan must work for the person who uses it. A route that looks short on a map may include steps, heavy doors or an unreliable lift. Start with the person's ordinary mobility equipment and their preferred way of receiving assistance.
Walk through the actual route
Check the way out and the place you would wait for help in line with the building's official arrangements. Ask the responsible building manager about any uncertainty. Do not invent a carrying technique or assume a lift will be available. Fire instructions and local emergency directions take precedence over a general household plan.
- Note door widths and difficult surfaces for planned transport.
Confirm assistance rather than assuming it
Talk to the transport provider, care service or trusted helper about what they can safely provide. Record whether equipment folds, how it is normally handled and where the manufacturer's instructions are. Someone agreeing to drive does not automatically mean their vehicle can accommodate the person and their mobility aid.
- Ask what happens if the usual vehicle is unavailable.
Keep the essential equipment together
Make small everyday items easy to retrieve without moving them away from where they are needed. If equipment is powered, arrange an outage plan with the supplier or clinical team; do not guess at electrical compatibility. Practise the agreed sequence gently and revise anything that depends on an unrealistic lift or journey.
- Include glasses, keys and communication aids in the plan.
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