Practice Your Escape Plan

A person holding a digital wristwatch showing the time 15:01, with a blurred background of a window and outside environment.

Step 4: Practice Your Escape Plan

Why Practice Matters

Muscle memory saves lives. When you've practiced evacuating, your body knows what to do even when your brain is panicked.

The NFPA recommends practicing your home fire drill at least twice a year. Many families practice more often, making it a normal part of life rather than a scary event.

How to Practice: Daytime Drill

Start with a daytime drill (easier, builds confidence):

1. Announce it's drill time: "We're going to practice our fire escape plan!"

2. Set the scenario: "Pretend there's a fire in the kitchen. Everyone use your escape routes."

3. Time it: Use a stopwatch. How long does it take everyone to get to the meeting point?

4. Do it for real:

  • Actually open windows

  • Deploy escape ladder (from first floor only for practice)

  • Crawl low

  • Touch doors before opening

  • Meet at exact meeting spot

  • Count everyone

  • Pretend to call 911

5. Debrief: "What worked? What was hard? What should we do differently?"

6. Do it again: Try to beat your time

Make it fun for kids:

  • Frame as a challenge or game

  • Give prizes for good listening

  • Take photos of them at the meeting point

  • Let them help time everyone

  • Celebrate afterward (ice cream!)

Nighttime Drill (Advanced)

Once daytime drills are comfortable, try nighttime:

1. Give advance warning: "Tonight before bed, we're going to practice evacuating in the dark."

2. Turn off lights: Simulate power outage

3. Sound alarm: Someone yells "Fire!" or press test on smoke detector

4. Everyone evacuates in dark:

  • Using flashlights (keep by beds)

  • Crawling low

  • Finding exits

  • Meeting outside

5. Process feelings afterward: "Was that scary? What helped you feel brave?"

Tips for nighttime drills:

  • Start with low-stress (tell them it's coming)

  • Don't make it scarier than necessary

  • Focus on what they did well

  • Do less frequently than daytime drills (2x year is plenty)

Practice Different Scenarios

Vary your drills:

  • Different starting rooms: "Everyone start in living room"

  • Blocked exits: "Pretend the front door is blocked by fire"

  • Someone "missing": "Pretend your brother isn't at the meeting point - what do you do?" (Answer: Tell firefighters, don't go back in)

  • Smoke simulation: "Stay low, smoke is at the ceiling"

How Often to Practice

Recommended schedule:

  • Daytime drills: Every 4-6 months (minimum 2x year)

  • Nighttime drills: Every 6-12 months

  • Discussion of plan: After moving, after changing bedrooms, when kids get older

Tie to events:

  • Daylight saving time changes

  • First day of school

  • Child's birthday

  • Fire Prevention Week (October)

Creating Your Home Evacuation Plan