---
title: "Making a home fire escape plan"
license: public-domain
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prepare-for-fire/home-fire-escape-plans/
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: US Fire Administration (FEMA), \"Home Fire Escape Plans\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
date: 
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-11-02
category: how-to
checked_on: 2026-11-02
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prepare-for-fire/home-fire-escape-plans/
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
license_note: "Every fact below restates US government public-domain pages listed under sources. This summary is also offered as public domain."
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Courtesy of US Fire Administration (FEMA). Public domain (US government work); use does not imply endorsement by US Fire Administration (FEMA)."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
date: 2026-11-02
category: how-to
tags: how-to, home-safety, fire, emergency
checked_on: 2026-11-02
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Home Fire Escape Plans"
    publisher: US Fire Administration (FEMA)
    url: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prepare-for-fire/home-fire-escape-plans/
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S2
    title: "Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out! (infographic)"
    publisher: US Fire Administration (FEMA)
    url: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/two%5Fways%5Fout%5Finfographic.pdf
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S3
    title: "Home Fire Safety (FA-354)"
    publisher: US Fire Administration (FEMA)
    url: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/home-fire-safety-poster-brochure.pdf
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# Making a home fire escape plan

# Making a home fire escape plan

## Summary
Draw a map of your home, mark two ways out of every room, pick an outside meeting place in front of the home, and practice the drill with everyone at least twice a year. Once out, stay out and call 911.

> **Not medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.**

*Draft. License: public domain (US government work). Sources: [S1] US Fire Administration (FEMA), "Home Fire Escape Plans"; [S2] US Fire Administration (FEMA), "Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out! (infographic)"; [S3] US Fire Administration (FEMA), "Home Fire Safety (FA-354)".*

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: Once a smoke alarm sounds, you may have less than two minutes to get out safely.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F2
  claim: Start the plan by drawing a map of each level of the home that shows every door and window.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F3
  claim: Identify two ways out of every room so a second exit is available if the first is blocked by fire or smoke.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2, S3]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F4
  claim: Keep doors and windows that lead outside unblocked and easy to open.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F5
  claim: Choose an outside meeting place in front of the home, and write the fire department number on the plan.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S3]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F6
  claim: Practice the drill with everyone in the home at least twice a year, starting it by pressing the smoke alarm test button.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S3]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F7
  claim: In a high-rise, leave and close the apartment door, pull the fire alarm on the way out, and use the stairs rather than the elevator unless the fire department says otherwise.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F8
  claim: Older adults and young children may need help escaping; keep glasses, hearing aids, mobility aids and a phone near the bed, and plan who helps whom.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S3]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02

## Pointers
- id: P1
  answers: Printable pictographs for low-literacy audiences
  where: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/gallery/pictographs/escape-planning.html
  access: free, public web page