First Alert Two-Story Fire Escape Ladder, Steel, Anti-Slip, EL52-2, Black

Bought this for my son and family because they live in a two story. Gives me piece of mind knowing they would be able to get out if there was a fire. My son is a fireman and he really appreciated this gift.

Living in a two story house, it was important to me to make sure we have one of these in the event we should have a fire and are unable to use the staircase to get downstairs to escape. The main reason I chose this ladder is because it is not a one use ladder. It can be deployed multiple times for family drills to practice using and then repacked. Be sure to check the ladder thoroughly after each practice drill to make sure there is no damage or changes to the integrity of the ladder. The window hooks are wide enough to fit the window sills in our home (it was built in the 1930s) and are very secure. Climbing out a window and down a ladder hanging against the side of your house is not the easiest thing to do by a long shot. It's hard even when you have all the time in the world to practice, so it's important to make sure every family member is comfortable and confident in their ability to open the window, pop out the screen (if there is one), attach the ladder, climb over the sill, and climb down the ladder. As someone who is nowhere near as nimble as I'd like, knowing how to properly use this ladder and the safest and easiest way to use it to exit a deadly situation is important. When ordering a fire escape ladder, make sure you buy one that is long enough for your needs, can hold enough weight so that adults can help children down if necessary, is reusable, and is easy to use. This one by First Alert fit those criteria for us.

EVERY ONE OF YOU HAS HAD THIS EXPERIENCE...TRAPPED ON A SECOND FLOOR OF A BURNING RESIDENCE. NO WAY OUT EXCEPT TO EITHER GROW WINGS AND FLY...OR, REACH FOR THE TRUSTY First Alert EL52-2 Two-Story Fire Escape Ladder, Steel, YOU JUST KNOW IS UNDER THE BED. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TEAR OPEN THE BOX, PULL THE UNIT OUT, UNTIE THE PLASTIC FASTENERS - UNLESS THE HEAT OF THE ENCROACHING FIRE MELTS THEM FIRST, THROW UP THE WINDOW, AND THE SCREEN, LOCK THE HOOKS OVER THE SILL, LOWER THE LADDER AND THEN, UNLESS YOU ARE A COMPLETE INEPTOID, CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW AND STEP IN STYLE TO SAFETY.SERIOUSLY, IN THAT MY HOUSE HAS NOT CAUGHT FIRE SINCE THIS PURCHASE WAS DELIVERED - IN A TIMELY MANNER- AND THE PRODUCT PLACED CAREFULLY UNDER THE BED SO IT WOULD NOT CLUTTER THE LIVING SPACE, SO I HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT WOULD WORK. LOOK. JUST GET A GRIP. DECIDE FOR YOURSELF BASED ON THE PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTION AND ...BUY IT. IF YOU ARE A SKEPTIC AND THINK THE OVERLORDS OF GOVERNING WOULD ALLOW ANYONE TO SELL A DEFECTIVE OR UNUSABLE FIRE ESCAPE LADDER...THEN TRY THE DARN THING OUT. IF YOU DO, RIGHT A REVIEW. I AM DYING TO FIND OUT.

This Fire Escape Ladder worked well for us. I unpacked it went to the window, and had it set up outside the window in less than 5 minutes. The real test was whether my 11 year old daughter could do the same. On her first try, she ended up in tears because the rungs and straps all got hopelessly tangled after they were out the window. I brought it in and repacked it for her, and advised to keep perfectly level while passing it thru the window. Next try she got it , but it took her a little longer than you would want in a fire situation, so we practiced again. This time it was OK. So the product lost a star because it is a little unwieldy for a child to operate.One other thing is that if there is a window below the window you are trying to climb down from, then the rungs will probably break it.. When you step on a rung it swings hard into the building. This is probably OK in a real fire, but not for practice.The pluses--fairly light, easy carry case and easy unpacking in emergency, and can be deployed an unlimited number of times, unlike some of the others which deploy once only and then must be thrown away.

Since our son 's bedroom is on the second story of our home with over a 20 foot drop straight down, escaping a fire blocking the staircase is a problem. Having this unit stored at the base of the bedroom windows insures a safe exit from the house. He also uses it while away at college where he share a home with other renters. Again on the 2nd floor with a straight drop out of his windows.

This thing looks very well built and very sturdy - for a rope ladder. It can be a little scary climbing out a second story window on something that's clipped to the window sill, but I did it practicing and it's very easy and comfortable to climb down this thing. The steps have little legs that keep it away from the wall (don't forget you need a second story window without a first story window below it!) and the legs keep the steps just where you need them. The steps are steel with non-slip coating - very sturdy, they don't flex at all with my 180# on them.Definitely would recommend all who may use this try it out before you need it!It does fold up easily into a small space. We keep ours right below the window on the floor. Good security when you live on a cliff that's crumbling into the sea!

If you live in a two-story house or apatment, I stringly suggest you get one of these. I used to always think to myself that I would just jump out the window/balcony in case of a fire, and hopefully land in a soft area. I even considered shimmying down the side of the house, on the lower roof, to my car's hood. Sure, these are practical ideas that won't cost you $50 or more BUT, everything changes when it stops being just you. You're not going to throw your kid or pet down so, get a ladder. It's easy to use and worth the money. You might think to yourself "well I'm careful and don't leave the stove on or candles on" but the truth is, you never know when there could be an electrical fire or when one of your neighbor's houses might catch and spread. I strongly recommend this product for your safety and safety of your family.