Verified Company
We were looking at alternatives for emergency egress from the second floor of our Barndominium (a metal building/barn with a living quarters built inside a portion of it). Barry was very responsive and helpful in answering all my questions and ultimately we decided to purchase the Safer Escape ladder because of its simplicity and strength. We installed it adjacent to a bedroom window inside the barn portion of the barndominium – once in the barn there are escape routes to the multiple doors (5) on all four sides of the building to the outdoors. There are three second floor windows to the exterior of the building that provide natural light to the rooms and limited access the “lean-to” (porch) roof. Due to their height cause by the building configuration and “lean-to” height, these windows require a small step ladder to access (and once outside on the “lean-to” roof it is still 14 feet to the ground). So, while these exterior windows are still an option for escape from a fire, they are not without challenges – thus our choice of the Safer Escape ladder installed adjacent to a standard sized widow that accesses the barn portion of the building.
Assembly and installation of the ladder was a two-person job, but we found it to be very easy. Once the ladder was in place my wife and I decided to test the ladder. We are both retired seniors quickly approaching 70 and not nearly as thin, agile and flexible as we once were. Plus, neither of us are very comfortable with heights. We found that deployment of the ladder was easy. The hardest part for us was putting our leg out the window and sitting on the windowsill due to our uncomfortableness with heights. Once our feet and hands were on the ladder – we were fine. I am over 6’-3”, @240 lbs. and I found the ladder to be strong and secure with no excessive flex or movement. On our “test runs” we both reached the ground in @35 seconds after deploying the ladder and expect we could be quicker now that we are familiar with the ladder if there were a true emergency. I’ve attached photos of the ladder installation. (.my "test run" video is 3 sec too long for a google review - sorry).
We are very happy with our purchase. We plan on providing instruction and “test runs” on the ladder to future overnight guests. We will mark the floor area around the base of the ladder to help prevent barn clutter from accumulating near the ladder. Finally, we like that when stored against the wall (and pinned at the top) the ladder is kind of “out of sight, out of mind” such that curious grandchildren will not be tempted to climb it as the fixed ladder option that we considered would.
Nelson Tears
Reply from Safer Escape LLC
Thank you, Nelson! Your detailed feedback is invaluable. We're thrilled the ladder gives you and your family peace of mind. You guys are a perfect example of how seniors are using the Safer Escape Ladder to create a safe environment for yourselves and families. We hope you never need it for real. Thanks!
