Creating a Home Fire Escape Plan

During a rapidly spreading home fire, every second will count. A successful escape from danger will depend on an early warning from smoke alarms and planning for how to exit your home. Sitting down to make a plan - and periodically reviewing it - will ensure your family knows what to do and where to go in the event of a home fire. 

Using the grid provided in this post, draw a floor plan of your house with the following identifiers:

• Make sure each room is identified, as well as the doors and windows – these are your escape routes!
• Plan two escape routes from each room and mark the way out on the plan. 
• Agree on a meeting place outside the house and mark it on the plan with a big X.

Be sure to review and practice your plan with everyone in the home - especially children. Sound your smoke alarm and practice crawling (to stay below smoke), checking doors before opening them for heat, and then closing the doors behind you as you exit. 

When your smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out! Never go back inside a burning building. Call 911 as soon as you are safely outside of your home. 

Live in an Apartment Building?

• Learn and practice your building’s evacuation plan.
• Know primary and secondary exits.
• If you hear the fire alarm, leave immediately.
• Use the stairs.
• NEVER use elevators during a fire.

In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can turn into a major fire. According to a survey by the National Fire Protection Agency, one-third of people asked thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. The time available is often less. Make a plan and practice it to save valuable time evacuating your family to safety.