Plan an Escape Route

When you make an escape route plan, make sure you involve everyone who lives in your home. If you've got people staying the night, be sure to share the plan – especially if people are drinking alcohol.

• Draw up an escape plan so that everyone in the house knows what to do if the smoke alarm goes off during the night
• Establish your route out of the house
• Include alternative routes in case the way is blocked
• Make sure that everyone knows where to gather once they are out of the house

• The best escape route is your usual way in and out
• Choose a second escape route in case the first is blocked
• Think about where you could take refuge if you can't escape – especially if you have difficulty moving around or going downstairs on your own
• Keep your escape route clear at all times
• Make sure everyone knows where the door and window keys are kept
• Think of any difficulties you may have getting out, e.g. keep a torch handy

• Move everyone to the safest room, ideally as far away as possible from the fire itself
• call 999
• Keep the door closed and put bedding or clothing at the bottom of the door to block smoke.
• Don't break a window; open one if you can do it safely. If smoke comes in, close it straight away.
• Balconies – check for fire and smoke from below or falling debris from above before using a balcony during a fire. You should follow your landlord's escape plan if you live in a flat.