Our 3-Step Escape Plan

  • First Escape Route
  • Second Escape Route
  • Meeting Place
Notes

Use this space to note any additional information about your escape plan, i.e. who will assist

Your checklist

  • Get low

    Smoke is poisonous and more deadly than flames.

    If you breathe smoke for more than a few breaths it can kill you.

  • Be fast

    A house fire can kill you in less than three minutes.

    Don't spend time trying to save possessions.

  • Close doors

    A closed door buys you time.

    It slows down the spread of fire, giving you more time to get to safety.

  • Get out - stay out!

    People have died by going back into a fire.

    Don't leave the meeting place to go back inside for any reason.

Call emergency services as soon as you are out and safe. Ask for FIRE.

Clearly state your address and let the operator know it anyone is still inside or has not made it to the safe meeting place.

Emergency call 111 Emergency text 111

Make an escape plan for your house

E wātea ana tēnei whārangi ki te reo Māori
Tirohia ki te reo Māori

This page is for kids who want to make an escape plan for their home. Adults can find more information in our guide to creating an escape plan or in talking to your children about fire safety.

 

Does your home have an escape plan?

Do you know what to do if a fire starts in your home and you need to get out quickly?

Every house should have an escape plan. An escape plan tells you how to get out of the house if there's a fire.

Fire is extremely hot and fast. In a fire, there will be lots of smoke. This will make your house very dark. You might be asleep when the fire starts, and get woken up by your smoke alarm.

If you have an escape plan, you will know how to escape the house as quickly as possible.

Making an escape plan

You can make an escape plan using our online planner tool or by printing out this document.

When you make an escape plan, you should know two ways to get out of every room if possible.

It's really important that you and your family understand your escape plan and practise it regularly.

Most fires start in kitchens, bedrooms, lounges and family rooms. Make sure you have escape plans for those rooms. You and your family should practise escaping from these rooms every 3 to 6 months.

Remember that a fire can be scary and confusing, but if you know your escape plan, you'll be able to get out quickly.

Here are some other things you can ask the adults you live with about:

  • Do you have an outside meeting place, such as a letterbox or a special tree, that you can go to if there's a fire?
  • Does your house have working smoke alarms?
  • Do you know what number to call if there's an emergency and how to ask for firefighters?

Remember, if there's a fire...

Get Out! Stay Out!

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