A home escape plan saves seconds when seconds matter. Walk through your home together, talk through options, and practice twice a year. The checklist and template below turn best practices into simple steps you can complete today.

Why Planning Ahead Matters

Two ways out: Fires spread quickly. Plan two exits from every room so a blocked door isn’t the end of the route.

Everyone has a role: Assign who wakes children, who assists with mobility devices, and who brings a phone to call 911 from outside.

A visible meeting place: Choose a landmark across the street—a mailbox, big tree, or sign—so you can quickly count heads.

Step-by-Step Checklist

1.  Draw a simple floor plan of your home (all levels).
2.  Mark two ways out of every room (door + window if possible).
3. T est smoke alarms and note their locations on the plan.
4.  Pick a safe outdoor meeting place (visible, permanent).
5.  Assign helpers for children, elders, or anyone with access or functional needs.
6.  Decide who calls pets and where carriers/leashes are kept (never re-enter for pets).
7.  Teach everyone to call 911 from outside; post your address near phones.
8.  Run two drills a year: one during the day, one after bedtime.
9.  Practice rolling out of bed, crawling low under smoke, and testing doors for heat with the back of your hand.
10.  If using escape ladders, store them by windows and practice deploying them safely from the ground.

Key Techniques to Practice

• If smoke is in the hallway, crawl low—cooler, cleaner air is near the floor.
• Before opening a door, use the back of your hand to check the knob and the door for heat.
• If trapped, close doors, seal gaps with towels, call 911, and signal from a window.
• Once out, stay out. Do not re-enter for people, pets, or belongings.
• Know how to open and operate window locks, security bars, and escape ladders.
• Keep stairs, hallways, and windowsills clear at all times.

Special Considerations

Children

Teach them how to respond to the alarm, not to hide. Keep cribs and beds away from windows where ladders may deploy.

Mobility, Hearing, Vision Needs

Assign two helpers for each person. Use vibrating or visual smoke alarms if needed. Stage mobility aids along escape routes.

Pets

Train pets to come when called. Keep carriers and leashes by exits. Never re-enter for a pet.

After You Escape

• Call 911 from outside. Give your address and confirm everyone’s location.
• Account for all household members at the meeting place.
• Tell firefighters if someone or a pet may still be inside and where they were last seen.
• Do not go back inside for any reason until firefighters say it’s safe.

Cl;ick here for an Escape Plan Template (to complete at home).

Helpful Hints

Share these graphics with your family and friends! We encourage you to print these and also share on social media.