Chris F. called us recently to tell us about a family fire drill. His youngest daughter is five, and she had just climbed out of their basement egress window by herself, without any help.
"If a five-year-old little girl can escape without any assistance, that's peace of mind," Chris told us. "Most people should be able to get out this window without assistance."
Why Chris Wanted an Egress Window
Chris and his wife live in Sedgwick County, Kansas, with their three kids. Illumicast installed an egress window well in their basement office back in 2019 or 2020.
Safety was the main reason. Chris knew a basement can become very dangerous if a fire starts near the stairs.
"Basements can be a death trap if the stairway catches on fire," he said. "You're pretty much at the mercy of first responders."
Watching the Crew Work
Chris runs an excavator for a living, so he paid close attention on install day. He could see what the crew was doing and he understood the process.
He liked what he saw. The crew answered all of his questions. They were respectful when they came in and didn't tear anything up. Chris said they treated his home "as if it was their house."
The part that surprised him came later. Illumicast called once or twice over the next few years to make sure everything was still working well. Chris believes it was the owner who called.
"I've never heard of a company following up on work," he said.
Five Years Later
The window well has had plenty of time to prove itself. Chris says there have been no leaks, no cracks, no air gaps and no warping. No mud, leaves or rodents have gotten in.
The cover has held up too. It has survived three kids, and it has survived a bump or two from the riding lawnmower when his wife was mowing.
The Fire Drill
Chris decided it was time for the whole family to learn how to use the window. He walked the kids through it one time: unlock the window, crank it open, climb out and pull the tab on the cover.
His oldest didn't want to go first. So his five-year-old did.
Wearing her light-up shoes, she climbed up a small step stool Chris had built, unlocked the window and cranked it open. She climbed out, popped the tab, went up the ladder, pushed the cover up with her head and her hand, and crawled out on her own.
The family ran the drill again recently. This time Chris sat back and didn't say a word. He watched her do every step by herself. Then she came around the house, walked in the front door and said, "Here I am," like she had just done a magic trick.
"She was proud that she could safely get out by herself," Chris said. She also knows the window is only for emergencies.
The basement isn't her bedroom. But Chris figures a fire can happen at any time. She might be downstairs getting a toy, or the family might be watching a movie down there. So everyone in the house knows how to get out.
A Bonus Chris Didn't Expect
Chris got the egress window for safety. He didn't expect how much the natural light would change the room.
"You really realize how much natural light you are actually missing from a basement," he said. "There's no substitute for natural light. It's cool to be able to see the clouds come over and the sun come up and down."
Practice Your Plan
An egress window helps most when everyone in the house knows how to use it. If you have one, take a few minutes and walk your family through a fire drill. Your kids might surprise you, just like Chris's daughter did.
We are grateful to Chris and his family for sharing their story.
If you want a safe way out of your basement, call Illumicast at 620-200-0616 for a free quote.