What things do I need to consider when making a fire escape plan?

Smoke alarm frequently asked questions

What to do if you can’t get out

• Move to the room furthest away from the fire, preferably where you can be seen from the street or by neighbours.
• Place a rolled towel or clothing across the bottom of the door to keep smoke out.
• Open a window for fresh air and shout for help.

Learn how to safely break windows for your escape

• Be prepared to smash a window with a solid object to escape.
• Break the glass at the top of the window and work your way down.
• Use a blanket or mat against the window to protect yourself from glass.
• Consider throwing a mattress out the window to soften your fall.
• Lower yourself as far as possible to reduce the falling distance.

Tips for escaping with children

Thinking about a house fire can be scary for children, but planning your fire escape, and practising it, doesn't have to be. Taking a few minutes to talk to your children about home fire safety may just save their lives.

• Involve children in regularly testing smoke alarms to reinforce home fire safety with them.
• Turn practising your fire escape plan into a game by timing how quickly you can all get to your meeting place.
• Start the 'game' from different rooms of the house.
• Use your phone to make different sounds to see if children know a smoke alarm sound (dog bark, doorbell, chicken etc.)
• Explain to children that the smoke alarm sound means to get down low and go! go! go!
• Explain to school-aged children that it's the same as practising fire drills at school.
• Ensure children know their home address and how to call Triple Zero (000).
• If other children are staying with you, tell them the fire escape plan and safe meeting place.

Tips for seniors and carers

People aged 65 and over are at greater risk of being injured or dying in a house fire. If you’re an older person, or care for one, there are some simple steps you can take to help you escape.

• Test your smoke alarms regularly and ask someone else to do it if you can't reach them.
• If possible, sleep in a room on the ground floor to make escaping easier.
  Keep your wheelchair, walker or walking stick by your bed to help you escape faster.
• Keep a telephone nearby, with emergency phone numbers, so you can call Triple Zero (000).
• Install a smoke alarm that uses lights and a vibrating pillow for anyone that is deaf or has a hearing impairment. You can order one through the Deaf Connect Smoke Alarm Subsidy Scheme.
• Ensure any doors or windows with security bars have quick-release devices to open them immediately. These devices won't compromise your safety, but let you open the door or window from inside if there is a fire.

How to make your escape

Once your interconnected smoke alarms go off, it’s time to make your escape

• Alert others by shouting out and thumping the walls.
• Help children and others needing assistance.
  Crawl to minimise breathing in toxic fumes and avoid blinding smoke, which usually builds from the ceiling down.
• Feel closed doors for signs of fire and avoid opening if they're hot.
• Close doors behind you to limit the spread of smoke or flames - but don't lock them.
• Follow your building's fire escape instructions if you’re in an apartment complex.