How to Create a Home Fire Escape Plan

A home fire escape plan maps out two exits from every room and establishes a meeting point outside, with practice drills held twice yearly to ensure everyone knows what to do.

1. Map Your Home First. Sketch a simple layout of each floor in your home, including all rooms, doors, windows, hallways, and staircases. Mark the location of smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and any areas where flammable materials are stored. Keep it basic but accurate - this becomes your reference map.
2. Find Two Ways Out. For every room, find two different ways to get out. The first route should be the normal path through doorways and hallways. The second route typically involves windows, but could include alternate hallways or doors. Mark both routes clearly on your floor plan with arrows showing the direction of travel.
3. Clear Your Window Routes. Test all windows designated as escape routes to ensure they open easily and aren't painted shut or blocked by furniture. Remove security bars that don't have quick-release mechanisms accessible from inside. For second-story windows, consider purchasing escape ladders and practice using them safely.
4. Pick Your Rally Point. Pick a specific location outside your home where everyone will gather after escaping, such as a neighbor's driveway, a specific tree, or a mailbox across the street. Make sure it's far enough from the house to be safe from flames and smoke, but close enough that elderly family members or small children can reach it quickly.
5. Account for Everyone. Consider family members who may need assistance, including young children, elderly relatives, or anyone with mobility issues. Assign specific people to help them and plan alternative routes that accommodate wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Identify where pets sleep and how you'll evacuate them safely.
6. Drill Until It's Muscle Memory. Run fire drills at least twice a year, including one at night when everyone is sleeping. Practice crawling low under smoke, feeling doors before opening them, and getting to your meeting spot within three minutes. Time each drill and discuss what worked well and what needs improvement.
7. Stay Current and Prepared. Update your escape plan whenever you rearrange furniture, add family members, or make home modifications. Replace smoke alarm batteries annually and test alarms monthly. Keep copies of your escape plan in multiple locations and ensure all family members and regular houseguests know where to find them.