Emergency exit facts for kids

Fire exit sign in the European Union showing the direction.

An exit sign in the United States.

An emergency exit is a special way out of a building or vehicle. It's designed to be used only when there's an emergency, like a fire or another dangerous situation. These exits help everyone get to safety quickly.

You can find emergency exits in many places. They are in buildings, schools, and even on planes. Any place where lots of people gather needs clear emergency exits. This helps prevent panic and keeps everyone safe if something goes wrong.

Why Are Emergency Exits Important?

Emergency exits are super important for safety. Imagine a big building with many people inside. If there's a fire, everyone needs to get out fast. Regular doors might get blocked or become too crowded. Emergency exits provide extra ways out. They are often designed to be easy to open, even in a hurry. This helps prevent people from getting stuck inside.

How Emergency Exits Work

Most emergency exits have special features. They usually have clear signs pointing the way. These signs often glow in the dark or are lit up. This makes them easy to see, even if the power goes out. The doors themselves are usually easy to open. They might have a push bar that opens the door with just a gentle push. This means you don't need a key or a special handle.

Different Types of Emergency Exits

Emergency exits aren't always just doors. They can be different things depending on the building or vehicle.

• Emergency Doors: These are the most common type. They look like regular doors but are marked with "Exit" or "Emergency Exit" signs.
• Fire Escapes: Some older buildings have metal stairs on the outside. These are called fire escapes. People can use them to climb down from upper floors during a fire.
• Emergency Windows: In some places, like homes or small buildings, certain windows are designed to be easy to open for an escape.
• Aircraft Exits: On planes, there are special emergency exits over the wings or at different points along the fuselage. Flight attendants explain how to use them before each flight.

Where You Find Them

Emergency exits are required by law in many places. This is to make sure people are safe.

• Public Buildings: Schools, hospitals, shopping malls, and movie theaters all have emergency exits.
• Workplaces: Offices and factories must have clear emergency routes.
• Transportation: Planes, trains, and even large buses have emergency exits.

It's always a good idea to know where the emergency exits are. When you enter a new building, take a moment to look around. Knowing the escape routes can help you stay safe in an emergency.

Images for kids

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  Emergency exit in Universitetet metro station in Stockholm

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  Fire exit in London. This was not originally a fire exit, but is now only used as a fire exit.

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  A fire escape is a type of emergency exit that is external to a building.

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  Sign for an emergency down stairs evacuation device for disabled people

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  This exit is unlocked by pressing the bar, which will also activate an alarm

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  Boeing 737 overwing emergency exit