Make Sure You'll Know When To Go

Install at least one smoke alarm on each level of the home, and in or near each sleeping area. Remember to test the alarms every month by pushing the test button.

Plan Your Great Escape

Draw a floor plan of your home, marking all windows and doors. Be sure to include every household member in the creation of the plan.

Locate two escape routes from each room. The first way out would be the door, and the second way out could be a window.

Make sure escape doors and windows can be opened easily from the inside (security bars must have quick-release devices on the inside). In a two-story home, plan your escape through a window onto an adjacent roof or porch. If you must use an escape ladder, be sure everyone knows how to secure it on a window sill (because descending a ladder presents a risk of falling, the National Fire Protection Association recommends climbing down an escape ladder only in an emergency, but not in practice situations).
 

Choose a meeting place outside, a safe distance from the front of your home and mark it on the floor plan. A good meeting place would be a tree, telephone pole, mailbox or neighbor's home. In case of fire, someone should call 9-1-1 from outside the home and everyone should gather at the meeting place. That way, you -- and the responding firefighters -- will know that everyone is out safely.

Put The Plan into Action -- Practice!

Household members should practice the fire escape plan at least twice a year, and overnight guests should know escapes from sleeping areas as well as the family meeting place.