Practice the night-time exit with a flashlight

Hour zero

Run a fire drill in the dark

Walk your family from bed to the meeting spot with the lights off, so the route is automatic on the night it counts.

Time30 min

LevelEasy

Steps5

Official sources2

Why it matters

Most deadly house fires happen at night, when people are asleep and the house is dark. Walking the route once in the dark makes it automatic.

What you need

Gather these before you start.

Flashlights: 1 beside each bed
Smoke alarm test button
Timer

Step by step

11 of 5

Put a light by every bed

Leave a flashlight or headlamp on each bedside table or hooked to the bed frame. Check that each one works.

22 of 5

Know two ways out

Walk each bedroom and find two exits, usually the door and a window. Make sure windows open and screens come off from the inside.

33 of 5

Set off the alarm

After dark, press the smoke alarm test button and start the timer. Some children sleep through alarms, so give an adult the job of waking each child.

44 of 5

Stay low and check doors

Crawl along the floor, where the air is cleaner in a real fire. Touch each door with the back of your hand before opening it, and use the other exit if it feels hot.

55 of 5

Meet outside and count

Everyone goes to the meeting spot in front of the house and waits to be counted. Note the time and talk about what slowed you down.

The numbers

What	Number
Ways out of each room	2
Flashlights	1 by each bed
Drills a year	2, 1 of them at night
Smoke alarm test	1 a month
Time to get out once the alarm sounds	Less than 2 minutes

US Fire Administration, Home fire escape plans

Stay safe

In a real fire, get out and stay out. Call emergency services from outside.
Never go back in for pets or belongings.

When you're done

Result	Everyone can get from bed to the meeting spot in the dark, with a light in hand.
Keep it ready	Practice twice a year, once at night. Test smoke alarms monthly.

Questions people ask

How often should you do a fire drill at home?

Twice a year, and make one of those drills at night, when most deadly home fires happen. Test the smoke alarms every month as well.

What goes in a fire escape plan for your home?

Two ways out of every room, usually the door and a window, and one meeting place outside in front of the house. Check that doors and windows are not blocked and that screens come off from the inside.

How do you make a fire escape plan for kids?

Some children sleep through a smoke alarm, so give one adult the job of waking each child. Put a flashlight by every bed and walk the route with them in the dark.