Fire Protection District - Home Escape Plans

Did you know the vast majority of fatal fires occur in the very place most people feel safest? That's right...most fatal fires occur in the home. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce your family's risk from fire. One simple thing you can do is develop a home escape plan. Below you will find some guidelines to assist you in developing a home escape for your family!

Home Escape Plan Guidelines:

Gather your family together and draw a floor plan of your home. Mark all windows and doors. Use this home escape plan template to help get you started. Or click here to develop a Family Escape Plan online using an interactive game.

Plan two ways out of every room. The first way out should be the door; the second way out could be a window. Doors and windows with security bars need to be equipped with quick-releasing devices. Use the stairs, never the elevator, in case of fire.

Agree on an outside meeting place where everyone can meet in front of the home after they've escaped and mark it on your Home Escape Plan.

Practice your Home Escape Plan at least twice a year. Make sure that everyone is involved - from kids to grandparents. If there are infants or family members with mobility limitations, make sure that someone is assigned to assist them.

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and in or near every sleeping area. Test them once a month and replace the batteries twice a year - "when you change your clocks, change your batteries." Mark the location of your smoke alarms on your Home Escape Plan. Make sure everyone knows how to react immediately whenever the smoke alarm sounds.

And finally... Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from the nearest outside phone. Never go back inside until the fire department give the okay.