Home Fire Escape Plan

In a home fire, you may have only a couple of minutes to get out after the alarm sounds. A plan everyone has practiced can make the difference.

• Families

Make your plan

1. Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows.
2. Find two ways out of every room when possible. Make sure windows open and screens come out easily.
3. For upper floors, consider escape ladders and practice using them.
4. Pick an outside meeting place a safe distance from the home, like a mailbox or a neighbor’s tree.
5. Plan who will help young children, older adults and anyone with a disability.
6. Make sure your house number is easy to see from the street.

Practice

Hold a home fire drill at least twice a year, including once at night. Practice getting low under smoke and feeling doors for heat.

In a real fire

• Get out and stay out. Never go back inside for anything.
• Get low and go under smoke.
• Feel doors with the back of your hand before opening; if hot, use your second way out.
• Close doors behind you to slow the fire.
• Call 911 from outside.
• If you can’t get out, close the door, put towels under it, call 911, and signal from a window.

To-do: your family fire plan

• Draw a floor plan with two ways out of every room
• Check that every window opens and screens come out
• Buy escape ladders for upstairs bedrooms if needed
• Pick an outside meeting place and tell everyone
• Decide who helps young children, older adults and pets
• Test every smoke alarm
• Make your house number visible from the street
• Hold a fire drill, then schedule the next one (including one at night)

Last updated: October 2, 2026