X-IT 2 Story (13') Emergency Fire Escape Ladder

I purchased this after a small house fire that was very nearly much worse. It made me realize that anyone upstairs could not have gotten out of the house if it had been a larger fire. This ladder is a fantastic addition to our fire safety and I am so happy I got it. We immediately opened it and tried it out on a slightly higher than ground level window (but not as high as the second story as we wanted to make sure we were comfortable with it and a safe falling distance if we messed things up). The instructions are sewn onto the bag so you do not have to go fumbling or lose a piece of paper, which I think is great. It was easy to use and we even had our 6 year old go down it (with me right below her in case she let go) so she wouldn't be scared of it.We do practice drills now every 6 months just so we are comfortable with the use of it if we ever have to use it in an emergency, but just having this has provided some peace of mind in case the worst happens.This is a great product and every multi-story home should not be without it!!!

On August 19th my daughter's best friend's house burnt down. It terrified her so much that she wouldn't sleep in her 2nd story bedroom. We had a fire ladder but it was a one time use type thing. So I went online and researched escape ladders and this was the #1 recommended. So I ordered it. It arrived before the expected delivery date, which was awesome! We started practicing today. My 13yr old daughters first climb took 2 minutes. Her 2nd only 39 seconds. It is SO light, easy to climb(although wider rungs would be better). She was a natural! We did 5 practice climbs, our siding did get scratched but honestly scratches are worth it! She had no issues setting up, tossing down or climbing. Her only issue was getting her body out the window, it's a smaller window. This was the best purchase I've ever made. We now have peace of mind that all our children can escape safely if we ever have a fire.

While we haven't tested it yet, it is evidently a good product. Very lightweight, surprisingly small, apparently well-made, it has several features that speak to thoughtful design. The ladder is packaged in a vivid yellow nylon storage bag that uses Velcro fasteners for closure: easy to find in low light and easy to open in an emergency. The straps that bind the individual rungs together are only guaranteed to last ten years, so the recommended replacement date is printed on the straps themselves. The instructions are clearly written and include such helpful advice as ensuring that doors are closed prior to opening the window from which the ladder will be deployed in order to limit a sudden rush of oxygen that would fuel the fire. There's even a small personal touch: an 8"x10" glossy photograph of the inventor with his family.Although I hope we never have to use it, I'm confident that we'll be able to rely on it for our safety if the worst happens. Unlike other emergency ladders offered on Amazon, this one is reusable, which gives us the opportunity to practice with it.UPDATE April 2014: There was a small fire in the upstairs bedroom where this escape ladder was kept; only the window curtains and drywall were involved. The escape ladder case was sitting by the drapes. The case and the straps connecting the rungs were both slightly burned and melted. Be aware that if flames get close enough to the ladder while you are escaping, you may find yourself descending a bit faster than you'd planned.

Everything about it is just great. It's very compact so I have found a way to tuck it into the back part of a magazine rack right in my living room under the window I hope to never have to climb out of. I bought a second one that tucks behind my daughter's bed so she can grab it easily in --- god forbid --- an emergency.I pulled it apart and put it in my window. Without adding any additional brackets it dropped right into place in an extremely stable way. Every thought it's small I know that I will be able to step down this ladder safely. When done testing it out, it crunched back together into its original tiny carrying case. So it's right there right in our living space, yet not in the way. Perfect!

I actually sleep better at night now in my second story bedroom - the bag, the ladder, the way it hangs to the window sill.. all of it.. PERFECT. But I hope I never need it. My home has a 3 foot rise above ground with 8 foot ceilings on the bottom floor, making the drop from an upstairs window way to dangerous to 'hang and drop' I'm so glad I bought this ladder. I notice it can also be permanently attached to a window sill for extra emergency.

It’s easy to use and deploy for my elementary school kids but it is very narrow, each rung is meant for one foot and I would have trouble using it as an adult

I live in a two story house and purchased this product for that reason. I bought this one over others I reviewed because it was REUSABLE (Important when purchasing an escape ladder because you will want to practice drill with it.) The construction is of good quality and sturdy. I especially like the extensions on the rungs that add stability by pressing against the side of the house and allowing for more room for the ball of the foot. This is very easy to use and doesn't tangle when thrown out. On our first practice drill my son got so excited he threw the entire thing out the window - without first attaching to the window sill.I am happy to report the product was not damaged, is reusable and no animals were hurt.

It's hard to rate something like this when I haven't had the need to actually use it... And I hope that I never, ever have to use it!It seems to be very well made, packaged conveniently, the instructions for use are very clear.I purchased this after a family in my community died in a fire when they were trapped on the second story of their home. I never want to find myself in that situation! This escape ladder in its convenient case sits at the foot of my bed, near the window of my second floor bedroom, providing reassurance of a bit of safety in case of a terrible emergency...