Have an escape plan

  • You will have one or two minutes from the sounding of the alarm to when your life is seriously threatened by fire or smoke.
  • Prepare and practice an escape plan
  • Make sure that everyone knows the sound of the smoke alarm and what to do if a fire occurs.
  • Identify a primary escape route out of every room, then pick a secondary route in case the first is blocked by fire.
  • Ensure doorways are not obstructed.
  • Select and indicate a meeting place outside of the home (eg the letterbox).
  • Call 111 and ask for the Fire Service from a neighbour’s home or mobile phone.

 Remember: Do a fire check every night before you turn out the light.

  • Are the kitchen appliances turned off and safe.
  • Are the heaters turned off and furniture and clothes are a metre distance from the fire place.
  • Has the ashtray been emptied into a metal bin outside.
  • Has the TV been switched off using the power switch on the set and not the remote control ‘standby’
  • Are all candles out.
  • Are kitchen and living room doors closed to slow a fire spreading to bedrooms.
  • Is the house secure with keys in the deadlocks.
  • Are passageways clear for a quick escape.

Escape Plan Tool

This tool has been designed to help you work out and highlight the escape routes in your home in the event of a fire. You can then print out the plan for the whole family to use.

Click on the button above to start drawing your family escape plan.