Planning and practicing a home fire escape plan is a smart thing to do. Get together with your family to draw a plan of your home that includes all windows and doors. Here are some important tips to help you make your plan:

1. Two Ways Out: Every room should have two ways out. One way out would be the door and the second way out may be a window. If your first way out is blocked by fire or smoke you should use your second way out. Emergency escape from a second story window may involve using a home fire safety ladder. If your escape plan includes an escape ladder, practice using it from a first floor window.

2. Working Smoke Alarms: Make sure your home has at least one smoke alarm on every level and outside the sleeping areas. If you sleep with your bedroom door closed, install a smoke alarm inside your bedroom. Test your smoke alarms monthly - by pushing the test button, and replace batteries once a year or sooner if it makes a chirping sound - which means the battery is running low.

3. Outside Meeting Place: Pick a family meeting place outside the home, where everyone will meet once they have escaped. A good meeting place would be a tree, a streetlight, a telephone pole, or a neighbor’s home. Be sure it’s a safe distance from emergency vehicles.

4. Lots of Practice: Practice your plan with your family at least twice a year. Get your family together and practice your “great escape.” Never go back inside a burning building. Once out, stay out!