Escape plans

If there's a fire in your home, you should have an escape plan that you've all practised to help get everyone out safely, and everyone needs to know what to do. You should all get out immediately, call 999 and not go back in the home.

Follow our guidance by using the following links:

• Make an escape plan
• Choose an escape route
• What if you can't escape?
• What if you live in a flat
• What else can I do?

Make an escape plan

• Include everyone who lives in your home, especially children, older people and lodgers
• Talk through your plan, including what to do and what not to do in a fire
• Tell everyone where the keys are for the doors and windows
• Plan the order you'd escape in, so that if you have have to go out of a window you can help others down
• Practise the plan and remind everyone of what to do and what not to do in a fire regularly
• Put your address by the phone so children can read it out to the emergency services
• Put a reminder of what to do in a fire somewhere prominent, like on the door of the fridge

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Choose an escape route

• The best escape route is your normal way in and out of your home
• Think of any difficulties you may have getting out, for example in the middle of the night
• Choose a second escape route in case the first one is blocked
• Keep both escape routes clear of things that might get in the way
• You may be able to escape out of the window if you're on the ground floor
• If you're on the first floor you should only do this as a last resort when you are in immediate danger. You should cushion your fall with bedding or cushions and lower yourself before dropping

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What if you can't escape?

• If you can't escape, you need to find one room for everyone to take refuge in
• It's best if the room you retreat to has a window and a phone
• Shut the door and block the bottom of it to prevent smoke getting in
• open the window and call for help
• stay by the window and lean out of the window to breathe if you need to

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What if you live in a flat?

High rise flats are built to be fireproof. Walls ceilings and doors will hold back flames and smoke. If there's a fire elsewhere in the building you're usually safer staying in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you.

• Make sure everyone in your home knows about the fire and alert neighbouring flats by banging on the doors on your way out. Set off the fire alarm if there is one.
• If there's a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor where the air will be cleaner
• Get everyone out and don't delay for valuables
• Don't investigate the fire
• Before you open doors check them with the back of your hand. If they're warm don't open them as the fire is on the other side
• Don't use the lift. Go down the stairs

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What else can I do?

• Fit smoke alarms that comply with the British Standard or equivalent international standard. They can give you more time to get out. Test them weekly and change the battery once a year.
• The government run regular fire safety campaigns, which are supported with leaflets that you can download, plus other promotional material. For more information on these campaigns, please see the website of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), formerly Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and http://www.firekills.gov.uk/.

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