Critical Home Fire Escape Planning Tips

Experts say you may have as little as two minutes (or even less) to safely escape a typical home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Does your family have a home fire escape plan?

According to the NFPA, less than half of Americans (48%) know that the correct components of a home fire escape plan include working smoke alarms, two ways out of each room and an outside meeting place. Nearly one quarter of Americans (23%) do not know that each room in the home should have at least two exits. Close to three in five Americans (57%) think that in a typical single-family home fire situation, once the smoke alarm sounds, the average person would have more than two minutes to escape safely.

When creating your Home Fire Escape plan, keep the following things in mind:

1. Map your home and exits to plan out all possible routes.

2. Hold fire drills in your home for your family.

3. Teach children how to escape on their own, in case you can't help them

4. Help the fire department find you. Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.

5. Close Doors behind you as you leave - this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.

6. Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.

In the event of an emergency, discuss and practice your Home Fire Escape Plan at least twice a year!