Creating a Family Fire Escape Plan

A home fire can spread rapidly—you may have only 2-3 minutes to escape safely. Having a practiced plan can mean the difference between life and death. Yet most families don't have a fire escape plan, and fewer have practiced one. Taking the time to create and rehearse your plan prepares your family to act quickly and calmly in an emergency.

Why Fire Escape Plans Matter NFPA

Shocking statistics:

• Fire can become unsurvivable in just 2 minutes
• Most fatal fires occur at night when people are sleeping
• Children may hide from fires rather than escape
• Smoke and darkness make navigation difficult
• Panic leads to poor decisions

How plans help:

• Practiced actions become automatic
• Children know what to do without adult direction
• Multiple routes provide options when one is blocked
• Meeting places ensure everyone is accounted for

Step 1: Install and Test Smoke Alarms NFPA

Before creating your plan, ensure you have working smoke alarms:

Placement:

• On every level of your home
• Inside every bedroom
• Outside each sleeping area
• In the basement

Maintenance:

• Test monthly by pressing the test button
• Replace batteries annually (or use 10-year alarms)
• Replace the entire alarm every 10 years
• Clean regularly—dust can impair function

Teach children:

• What the alarm sounds like
• That it means "get out now"
• Never to ignore or disable alarms

Step 2: Draw Your Floor Plan NFPA

Create a simple map showing:

• All rooms in your home
• All doors and windows
• Two escape routes from each room
• Location of smoke alarms
• Outside meeting place

Include:

• All floors including basement
• Locations of bedrooms (who sleeps where)
• Any special considerations (oxygen equipment, mobility issues)

Post your plan:

• Where everyone can see it
• Review it regularly
• Update if anything changes

Step 3: Identify Two Ways Out NFPA

Every room needs two exit routes:

Primary route: Usually a door leading to a hallway and out

Secondary route: Usually a window, in case the primary route is blocked

For upper floors:

• Identify windows that open easily
• Consider escape ladders for second-floor bedrooms
• Practice opening windows
• Know how to remove screens

Check all exits:

• Do doors open easily?
• Are windows painted shut?
• Can children reach and operate windows?
• Are security bars equipped with quick-release?

Step 4: Teach Fire Safety Skills AAP

### "Feel the Door" Technique
Before opening any door during a fire:
1. Touch the door with the back of your hand
2. If hot, don't open—use your secondary route
3. If cool, open slowly and check for smoke
4. If smoke enters, close door and use secondary route

### "Low and Go"

• Smoke rises, cleaner air is near the floor
• Crawl on hands and knees to stay below smoke
• Practice crawling to exits
• Cover mouth and nose if possible

### "Get Out and Stay Out"

• Once out, NEVER go back inside for anything
• Not for pets, toys, or other people
• Firefighters have equipment to search homes safely
• Going back in causes many fire deaths

Step 5: Establish a Meeting Place NFPA

Choose a spot that is:

• A safe distance from the house
• Easy to remember and find
• Clearly visible (mailbox, specific tree, neighbor's driveway)
• Far enough that you won't be in the way of firefighters

At the meeting place:

• Take roll—is everyone accounted for?
• NEVER go back in if someone is missing
• Tell firefighters if someone is unaccounted for
• Go to a neighbor's house to call 911 if needed

Step 6: Practice Fire Drills NFPA

How often:

• At least twice a year
• More often with young children
• After any changes to your home
• Both during the day AND at night

Practice scenarios:

• Primary exits blocked (use secondary routes)
• Nighttime drills (with smoke alarm sound)
• Different rooms as starting points
• "Feel the door" technique
• Crawling low
• Meeting place gathering

For young children:

• Make it age-appropriate, not scary
• Practice waking to the sound of the alarm
• Role-play what to do
• Praise their participation

Age-Specific Guidance AAP

### Babies and Toddlers

• Parents are responsible for getting them out
• Assign specific adults to specific children
• Practice carrying children while staying low
• Keep cribs near exits when possible

### Preschoolers (3-5)

• Can learn to go to the window and wait for help
• May need help opening windows
• Practice repeatedly—young children need rehearsal
• Use simple language: "Fire means go out"

### School-Age Children (6-12)

• Can follow escape route independently
• Should practice using secondary exits
• Can help younger siblings
• Should know address to tell 911

### Teenagers

• Can help with younger children
• Should know where all exits are
• May be responsible for pets during evacuation
• Can help with disabled family members

Special Considerations NFPA

### Multi-Story Homes

• Escape ladders for upper floors (practice using them)
• Know which windows ladders fit
• Store ladders near designated windows
• Practice deploying ladders

### Apartments

• Know building evacuation procedures
• Don't use elevators during fires
• Know stairwell locations
• If door is hot, stay in apartment with wet towels blocking smoke

### Family Members with Disabilities

• Assign helpers
• Practice specific assistance techniques
• Ensure escape routes are accessible
• Alert firefighters to any special needs

### Sleeping Safety

• Sleep with bedroom doors closed (slows fire spread)
• Practice waking to smoke alarm
• Keep eyeglasses, flashlight, and phone by bed
• Know your route even in darkness

If Clothes Catch Fire NFPA

Teach children "Stop, Drop, and Roll":

1. STOP - Don't run (running fans flames)
2. DROP - Fall to the ground immediately
3. ROLL - Roll back and forth to smother flames
4. Cover your face with hands while rolling

Practice this technique so it becomes automatic.

If Trapped in a Room NFPA

If you can't escape:
1. Close the door
2. Seal cracks with towels, tape, or clothes
3. Call 911 and tell them your location
4. Go to a window and signal for help
5. Wave a bright cloth or use a flashlight
6. Don't break the window unless necessary (smoke can enter)

Common Mistakes to Avoid NFPA

Don't:

• Assume you'll have time to gather belongings
• Plan to call 911 from inside the home
• Forget to practice at night
• Skip practicing secondary routes
• Underestimate how fast fire spreads
• Leave bedroom doors open at night

Do:

• Practice until it's automatic
• Update plan as children grow
• Replace old smoke alarms
• Check that windows open easily
• Keep exits clear of clutter

Making It Stick

Review regularly:

• At smoke alarm battery changes
• At the start of school year
• After any close calls (burnt food, candle mishap)
• When you have overnight guests

Keep it positive:

• Practice without creating fear
• Praise children for participation
• Celebrate successful drills
• Answer questions calmly

The Bottom Line

Creating a fire escape plan takes just an hour, and practicing it twice a year could save your family's lives. Draw your floor plan, identify two ways out of every room, establish a meeting place, and practice until the plan is automatic. Make sure all smoke alarms work, and teach children basic fire safety skills. The time you invest in preparation pays off in peace of mind—and could pay off in survival.

Clara can help you create a customized fire escape plan for your home and family!