Fire can spread rapidly through a home, leaving as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once a smoke alarm sounds. Having -- and practicing -- an escape plan increases the chances of survival.
Escape Plan Basics
- Pull together everyone in the household to make the plan.
- Walk through the home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes.
- Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of the home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors.
- Choose an outside meeting place (i.e., neighbor's house, a light post, mailbox, or stop sign) a safe distance in front of the home where everyone can meet after they've escaped.
- Make sure to mark the location of the meeting place on your escape plan.
The National Fire Protection Association offers comprehensive information about creating an escape plan on their website here.