How Do I Make a Family Fire Escape Plan?

Did you know you may have only 3 minutes or less to escape a fire once it starts?And according to the Red Cross, 74% of families don’t even have a plan in place. But the truth is, making one is easy — and it could just save your family’s lives. Use this simple guide to create your own plan (it can even be a fun family activity) and make sure everyone knows what to do in a real emergency.Call a Family MeetingCreating a fire escape plan starts with a family meeting. Discuss potential exits in every room and make sure everyone knows how to escape through doors and windows. Walk through the house together and check that pathways are clear and easily accessible. Then choose a safe meeting place outside your home — like a neighbor’s house or a mailbox — and make sure it’s far enough away in case the fire spreads. Also, make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street, so emergency responders can find you quickly.Equip Your HomeNext, you’ll want to make sure your home is equipped with properly installed smoke alarms. These should be placed in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level of your home. You might want to consider alarms that are interconnected , so when one sounds, they all do. Whatever alarms you choose, test them monthly and replace batteries twice a year.Family ConsiderationsIf your household includes children, elderly family members, those with mobility challenges or pets, designate someone to assist them if an emergency happens — and assign a backup helper in case that person isn’t available. Also, don’t forget to inform house guests about your fire escape plan. If you’re visiting someone else’s home, ask about their fire escape plan — if they don’t have one, offer to help create one!Practice RegularlyOnce your plan is in place, the most important step is to practice regularly. Run a family drill at least twice a year to make sure everyone knows exactly what to do and where to go when an alarm sounds. Practice staying calm, getting out quickly and never going back inside. For additional resources, we recommend checking out these tips on how to make a family escape plan from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).Make Family Fire Escape Planning FunCreating a family fire escape plan is essential, but it doesn’t have to be a tedious or stressful task. In fact, practicing fire drills and escape routes can be a fun, interactive family activity that helps everyone feel confident and prepared in an emergency. Here are some creative ideas to make escape planning a more enjoyable time for your family.Themed Escape DayChoose a theme for your escape practice — like superheroes or pirates. Dress up and act out the escape as if you're in an action movie.DIY Fire Safety BingoCreate bingo cards with different fire safety items or actions, like “Stop, drop and roll” or “Find the nearest exit” and mark off items as you go!Obstacle Course with a TwistSet up a fun obstacle course that includes crawling under tables, jumping over pillows or zigzagging through furniture. Pretend you’re navigating through smoke!Fire Safety OlympicsOrganize a series of fire safety challenges, like a relay race to see who can grab safety items the fastest.Fire escape planning is a crucial part of family safety that you can easily turn into something fun and exciting. So, gather the family, get creative and make it an event everyone looks forward to! And check out these great resources from The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to help walk you through making your family’s plan.

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