Make a Plan Before You Need It

A fire can spread quickly. Having working smoke alarms and a practiced escape plan helps everyone know what to do when an alarm sounds.

Whether you live in a house, mobile home, or recreational vehicle (RV), plan your escape around your home’s layout and the abilities of everyone staying there.

Know Your Ways Out

• Draw a simple map showing rooms, doors, and windows.
• Identify two ways out of each room whenever possible.
• Keep doors, windows, hallways, and exit paths clear.
• Make sure escape windows and doors open easily.
• Choose an outdoor meeting place a safe distance from your home, away from responding emergency vehicles.
• Make sure everyone knows the meeting place.

A window is only a useful escape option if the person using it can safely reach it, open it, and get outside. Discuss difficult escape arrangements with the District before an emergency occurs.

Practice Together

Practice your escape plan at least twice a year, including during the day and at night.

Walk through both escape routes with everyone in the household. Include visitors, overnight guests, and caregivers when explaining the plan.

During practice, check whether anyone needs help waking up, opening an exit, or getting outside. Adjust the plan to address those needs.

When the Smoke Alarm Sounds

Get out immediately. Stay out. Call 911 from a safe location.

• Use the nearest safe exit.
• If you must escape through smoke, stay low beneath it.
• Close doors behind you as you leave, if you can do so without delaying escape.
• Go directly to your outdoor meeting place.
• Tell the dispatcher and arriving firefighters if someone is missing and where they may be.
• Never go back inside for belongings or pets.

If you cannot escape, close the door between you and the fire, call 911, and give your exact location. Signal for help from a window if possible. Do not enter a smoke-filled escape route.

Plan for Children and People Who Need Assistance

Some household members may need help recognizing an alarm or escaping.

• Identify who will assist young children or anyone needing help, and plan for when that helper is away.
• Teach children to leave immediately rather than hide.
• Practice routes that work with walkers, wheelchairs, and other mobility needs.
• Keep necessary mobility aids, glasses, and a phone within reach.
• Consider sleeping arrangements near an accessible exit.
• For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, discuss compatible alarm equipment with flashing lights or bed shakers.

Build the plan around what each person can actually do. Do not assume everyone will hear an alarm, wake up, or escape without assistance.

Mobile Home Escape Planning

Know the location of exterior doors and bedroom escape windows. Keep both the inside and outside of these exits clear.

Check that steps, landings, and paths are usable. Do not allow furniture, storage, window coverings, or security devices to prevent escape.

If a room has no usable second way out, contact the District to discuss the concern.

RV Escape Planning

An RV’s layout and emergency exits may be unfamiliar to occupants.

• Locate the main door and designated emergency exit windows or hatches.
• Review the manufacturer’s instructions for operating emergency exits.
• Make sure everyone staying in the RV understands how the exits work.
• Keep exit routes clear of furniture, luggage, and other belongings.
• Plan how children and people with limited mobility will get outside safely.
• Know your campground name, street address, and site number so dispatchers can locate you.

Review the plan whenever you move to a new location. Do not practice climbing or jumping through elevated exits in a way that could cause injury.

Working Smoke Alarms Matter

Have working smoke alarms appropriate for your home or RV, installed and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

For houses and mobile homes, smoke alarms should be located inside bedrooms, outside sleeping areas, and on every level. Test alarms monthly.

If you need smoke alarm assistance, contact Liberty Fire District about our Smoke Detector Program.

Need Help Developing Your Plan?

Liberty Fire District offers voluntary Home Fire Safety Visits to residents within the District. At your request, a fire inspector can discuss escape routes, identify concerns, and recommend practical improvements.

Participation is optional. Contact us to discuss your home, mobile home, or RV and arrange a visit.

Phone: 850-892-5833
Email: info@LibertyFireDistrictFL.gov
Online: Contact Us

For a fire or other emergency, call 911.