Establish Family Roles and Rules

Child lying on a wooden floor with legs and arms exposed, partially visible under a white table with a light-colored surface.

Step 3: Establish Family Roles and Rules

Evacuation Rules Everyone Must Know

Rule 1: Get Out Fast

  • Don't stop for anything

  • Don't look for pets (they'll find their way out)

  • Don't go back inside for any reason

  • Every second counts

Rule 2: Stay Low in Smoke

  • Crawl on hands and knees

  • Breathe through cloth if possible

  • Smoke rises, air is clearer near floor

  • Practice crawling your escape routes

Rule 3: Touch Doors Before Opening

  • Use back of hand on door and doorknob

  • If hot, use alternate escape route

  • Never open a hot door (fire on other side)

  • Teach kids this habit

Rule 4: Close Doors Behind You

  • Slows fire spread

  • Every closed door helps

  • But don't waste time locking

Rule 5: Meet at Your Designated Spot

  • Don't scatter

  • Count everyone

  • Stay there until all clear

Rule 6: Call 911 From Outside

  • Use cell phone once you're out

  • Or neighbor's phone

  • Give your address clearly

Rule 7: NEVER Go Back Inside

  • Not for pets

  • Not for possessions

  • Not even for people (tell firefighters, they have equipment)

  • Nothing is worth your life

Assign Age-Appropriate Responsibilities

Adults:

  • Help children evacuate

  • Grab go-bag if time allows (only if immediate access)

  • Close doors behind

  • Account for everyone at meeting point

  • Call 911

Older children (10+):

  • Responsible for their own evacuation

  • May help younger siblings if trained and safe

  • Know how to call 911

  • Meet at designated spot

Younger children (under 10):

  • Know their escape routes

  • Practiced crawling low

  • Go directly to meeting point

  • Call for help once outside

  • Don't hide (firefighters need to find them)

Infants and toddlers:

  • Adult responsibility to carry out

  • Keep shoes and robes near bed for adults (need to grab baby fast)

  • Consider which adult is "responsible" if both parents home

Special Considerations

If someone has mobility challenges:

  • Designate who helps them

  • Identify easiest escape route

  • Consider medical alert system

  • Have wheelchair or walker accessible

  • Practice the assistance

If someone is deaf or hard of hearing:

  • Vibrating/strobe smoke alarms

  • Family member designated to wake them

  • Visual cues for evacuation

Pets:

  • Don't delay evacuation to find pets

  • If you can quickly leash/carrier and it's on your way out, do it

  • Otherwise, let them escape on their own

  • They'll typically run from danger

  • Find them after everyone is safe

Creating Your Home Evacuation Plan