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Fire Safety Evacuation Checklist

Fire safety is an important issue for everyone because it can mean the difference between life and death. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), more than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and approximately 20,000 are injured. Of those deaths, some could have been prevented by an efficient fire escape plan. Refer to the fire safety evacuation checklist below to make sure that you and your family know what to do when fire strikes.

  1. Determine an Exit Strategy

    • A planned escape is critical for you and your family in the event of a fire. Map out a floor plan of your home, and include a main escape route and an alternate escape route from each room. Planning in advance minimizes panic and will eliminate confusion for everyone.

    Establish a Designated Meeting Place

    • Arrange for all members of the household to meet outside the home at a safe location. For example, you may want to meet on the front sidewalk where the firefighters will arrive. Assembling the family at your meeting place and taking attendance ensures that no one is looking for someone who has already made it safely out of the home.

    Practice Makes Perfect

    • Review your escape routes with a scheduled fire drill at least once every six months. Sound the alarm and have family members act out what they would do during a real fire. Make sure your evacuation plan provides the proper arrangements for small children and people with special needs. Immediately following the drill, call a meeting to discuss the outcome and how to improve responses.

    Evacuate Quickly

    • Refrain from attempting to bring all your possessions with you. If you encounter smoke or flames, crawl to the closest exit. Stay safe by touching the door, the door handle and the space between the door and frame before opening any doors. Opt for an alternate exit if any of them feel hot. Open the door carefully if they feel cool. Close doors quickly if smoke or heat blow in. Continue to shut all doors behind you when leaving. In circumstances where you may be trapped, call 9-1-1 with your exact location or signal for help with a flashlight or by waving a brightly colored sheet at the window.

    Find a Way Out

    • Ensure that everyone can unlock all doors and windows to escape. Choose stairways over elevators in an apartment building and know in advance how to evacuate safely from the second floor in a two-story home. Reinforce to your family that everyone must vacate immediately when they hear the smoke alarm or someone yelling, "Fire." Under no circumstances should anyone re-enter the home. Once outside, meet at the designated meeting place. If someone is missing, alert the firefighters.

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