Plan Your Escape

Home Fire Escape Planning and Practice

Home fire escape planning should include the following:

  • Drawing a map of each level of the home, showing all doors and windows
  • Going to each room and pointing to the two ways out
  • Making sure someone will help children, older adults, and people with disabilities wake up and get out
  • Teaching children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them
  • Establishing a meeting place outside and away from the home where everyone can meet after exiting
  • Having properly installed and maintained smoke alarms
  • Pushing the smoke alarm button to start the drill
  • Practicing what to do in case there is smoke: Get low and go. Get out fast.
  • Practicing using different ways out and closing doors behind you as you leave
  • Never going back for people, pets, or things
  • Going to your outdoor meeting place
  • Calling 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from a cell phone or a neighbor’s phone