Making a Home Fire Escape Plan

Every second counts during a fire. Families should practice their home fire escape drill so that it becomes second nature. Here are some tips that Underwriters Laboratories recommends for families as they develop their home fire escape plans:

• Draw a simple floor plan of your home. On it, mark:
• two exits from every room, including windows
• an outside family assembly point, such as driveway or parking lot
• Write "Call 911" on the escape plan.
• Post the escape plan in a central location, such as the refrigerator door, and encourage family members to memorize it.
• Make sure everyone recognizes the sound of the smoke alarm and knows to get out of the home immediately.
• Have a Parental Plan B because children, older people and those with special needs may not wake up to the sound of a smoke alarm. Consider how to aid their escape when developing the overall escape plan.
• Rehearse the escape plan until everyone understands it.
• Make sure escape routes are clear of obstacles, such as couches and tables, and family members can easily open the doors and windows, including any security bars.
• In apartments and condos, count the number of doors between yours and the exit. In the dark or in smoke, you'll be able to find the exit by running your finger along the wall to count doors when you are evacuating.
• Never re-enter a burning building for any reason.
• Practice your escape plan at least twice a year with all household members.