Watch this animation to learn how to create and practice a home fire escape plan with your household. (Mire el video en español | Xem video bằng tiếng Việt)

When a fire starts, there is no time to plan your escape. A home can fill with smoke and become dangerous within minutes. Every household should have a home fire escape plan that helps everyone know what to do and where to go during a fire.

Create and practice your escape plan with everyone in your household. Regular practice helps ensure that your family is prepared to get out quickly and safely during a fire emergency.

Create a Home Fire Escape Plan

To create a home fire escape plan, follow these steps:

1. Draw a floor plan of your home. Use a piece of grid paper to sketch each level of your home.
2. Choose a meeting place outside. Pick a safe location a safe distance from your home where everyone can gather, such as a mailbox or streetlight.
3. Mark all possible exits. Include doors, windows, stairways, porches, and other areas where someone could escape.
4. Draw your primary escape routes. Use arrows to show the quickest and safest way to get out from each room.
5. Add a backup escape route. Use a different color to mark an alternative exit route from each room in case your primary route is blocked or unsafe.

Practice Your Home Fire Escape Plan 

A fire escape plan may look good on paper, but practicing it helps make sure it works. Regular exit drills allow everyone in your household to know what to do and identify any changes needed.

Use these tips when practicing:

• Review your escape plan with everyone in your household, including children.
• Assign someone to help lead the drill.
• Practice your escape plan during both the day and night.
• Make sure everyone knows how to unlock doors and windows quickly.
• Practice staying low to the ground to avoid breathing smoke.
• Close doors behind you as you leave to help slow the spread of fire.
• Go directly to your meeting place and make sure everyone is accounted for.
• Practice using backup escape routes if your primary exit is blocked.
• Consider including an escape ladder in your plan if you live in a two-story home.
• Assign someone to assist infants, older adults, or household members with mobility needs.
• Practice your home fire escape plan at least twice a year.

During a Real Fire

Get out first, then call 9-1-1. Never go back inside a burning building for any reason. Firefighters have the training and equipment needed to perform rescues. If you become trapped inside:

• Close doors between you and the fire.
• Block cracks around doors with towels or other materials to help keep smoke out.
• Go to a window, signal for help, and call 9-1-1.