Home Fire Escape Plans

Steps for a strong plan

From the guide’s own plan steps. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Draw a simple map of your home showing every room, door and window.
• Mark two ways out of every room, and make sure windows and doors open easily.
• Choose an outdoor meeting place everyone knows, at a safe distance in front of the home.
• Make sure everyone knows how to call 911 from outside.
• Keep exits, hallways and windows clear of furniture, boxes and clutter.
• Test smoke alarms monthly, and make sure everyone can hear them, even while asleep.
• Practice the plan twice a year, including once at night.

All done. Your plan is ready. Practice it twice a year, once at night.

If the smoke alarm sounds

1. Get out right away. Leave everything behind.
2. If there is smoke, get low and go under it to your exit.
3. Feel a closed door with the back of your hand. If it’s hot, use your second way out.
4. Close doors behind you as you leave to slow the fire.
5. Go straight to your meeting place, and call 911 from outside.
6. Tell firefighters if anyone, including a pet, is still inside. You did exactly the right thing.

Practice crawling low to the door with your eyes closed once. In real smoke, it is very hard to see, and knowing the way by feel helps.

Please never do these

• Please don’t go back inside for belongings, phones or pets.
• Please don’t hide from a fire. Children especially should practice getting out and staying out.
• Please don’t use an elevator during a fire.
• Please don’t block windows with furniture, air conditioners or bars that can’t be opened from inside.

Close before you doze. Sleeping with bedroom doors closed can slow the spread of smoke and fire and buy precious time.

Planning for everyone

Plan who will help young children, older adults and anyone with a disability, and keep glasses, mobility aids and hearing aids by the bed.

For upper floors, know where the stairs are, and if a window is your second way out, ask about escape ladders. Store a folding escape ladder near the window and practice setting it up.

For anyone with hearing loss, smoke alarms with strobe lights or bed shakers help make sure everyone gets the warning.

Plan for pets, but never go back in for them.

For more, see Ready.gov: Home Fires and U.S. Fire Administration: Smoke Alarms.

Keeping exits ready

From the guide’s list for supporting safe exits. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Make sure every bedroom window opens fully and easily, and any security bars have quick release latches.
• Keep stairways, hallways and exit doors clear and well lit.
• Install and maintain smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level.
• In buildings with several units, post exit maps and keep exit signs and emergency lights working.
• Share a simple escape plan template with every new resident.

All done. Every exit is ready for the people who may need it.

When an exit concern is shared

• Treat a window or door that won’t open as urgent. It is an exit.
• Fix broken locks, latches and stuck windows promptly.
• Respond to requests for strobe or bed shaker alarms for residents with hearing loss with care.
• Remind residents kindly to keep exits clear in shared buildings.
• Write down what was reported, what was done and when.

Open every bedroom window during each turnover. A window painted shut or stuck is a lost exit, and it is easy to fix before someone needs it.

Guides that go well with this one

• Smoke and CO Alarm Guide
• Home Emergency Kit
• Kitchen Fire Safety
• Window Safety for Kids
• Storms and Power Outages