How to Create a Household Fire Escape Plan

Make a Plan

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  Draw the floor plan of your home on graph paper. Mark possible exits in red, and don't forget windows that open onto a roof.

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  Mark the location of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on your floor plan. This will tell you if you have enough of them and if they are in proper locations. Relocate them as needed.

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  Designate a location outside of the house as the family meeting place and mark this on the chart. This should be in the front of the house so you will be seen by neighbors and the fire department.

Explain the Plan

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  Gather your family together and discuss the fire escape plan. Point out all escape routes and don't forget to include windows that open onto a roof.

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  Show family members the outside family meeting place. Discuss who may need help getting to the spot, such as young members of the family. Firmly tell family members that after leaving the house, they cannot under any circumstances return to the house to retrieve belongings.

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  Decide who will call 911. The first person out of the house is a logical choice.

Practice the Plan

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  Notify the family that there will be a fire drill some time that day. It might be a good idea to tell the neighbors as well. At a designated time, blow a whistle and shout, "Fire!"

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  Hold surprise fire drills. Light a candle and blow it out under a smoke detector. The smoke created should be enough to activate the alarm. Do not tell the family in advance that this is a drill. Block the escape route for older kids and tell them they have to find another way out. Panic is less likely to occur if they know they have alternatives. Carry out the evacuation, reviewing any steps that weren't clear.

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  Hold a night fire drill. For the first few night drills, keep the lights on. Make sure everyone has a flashlight and knows where to find it in an emergency. Stress that these are not toys.

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  Hold practice fire drills once a month.

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