Home Fire Escape Plans

The increasing severity of home fires due to modern building contents and open space configurations makes it crucial that people are prepared to leave their homes immediately in the event of fire.

Residents could have less than 2 minutes to escape a home fire once the smoke alarm sounds.

In the event of a home fire, every second counts. Use these messages and free materials to teach your community about the importance of making and practicing a home fire escape plan.

Messages to share

Click to copy message.

Making and practicing your fire escape plan

Draw a map of your home. Include all doors and windows. Find 2 ways out of every room. Make sure doors and windows are not blocked. Choose an outside meeting place in front of your home. Practice your home fire drill with everyone in the home. Push the test button to sound the smoke alarm and start your home fire drill. Get outside to your meeting place.

High-rise residents: Fires in high-rise and condominium buildings are especially dangerous. Encourage residents to know where all the exit stairs are and how to escape in an emergency.

Leave your apartment. Close the door behind you. Pull the fire alarm on your way out to notify the fire department and your neighbors. Use the stairs to get out. Do not use the elevator unless directed by the fire department.

Go to your outside meeting place and stay there. Call the fire department. Tell the fire department if someone is trapped in the building.

Social media graphics and stock photos

Pictographs

Pictographs can help overcome literacy barriers by communicating messages with pictures. Our pictographs will help you to communicate home fire escape plan messages to high-risk populations.

check fire alarm

practice escaping on knees

run to safety once escaped

Handouts

handout: 2 ways out

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handout: high rise fires

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handout: escape grid

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