The time to plan your escape from a burning home is not when you’re surrounded by smoke and flames. You won’t have time, and you may not have the composure. It’s important to develop an emergency escape plan for your family before you need it. Here’s how:

Start by drawing a floor plan of your home. Mark and map out two exits from each room. On upper level floors, you may need a fire-escape ladder that can be hung from windows. Practice using the ladder, and teach children how to use it—but from a first floor window for safety. Check windows and doors earmarked for escape routes to make sure everyone can easily open them.

Make sure everyone knows what to do and where to go if a smoke or CO alarm goes off. Young children and older or disabled family members will need an assigned assistant to help them escape safely, and a backup in case that person isn’t home. Identify a safe meeting place well away from the house so that all can be accounted for. Remember, once you are out, don’t go back in.

Practice sealing smoke out of a room by blocking vents and sealing doors and other openings with clothing, pillows, or towels.  Open a double-hung window at top and bottom to allow fresh air to get in. Practice crawling across the floor, staying low to avoid inhaling smoke. Make sure you'll have access to a phone on which to call 911 to let emergency workers know your exact location. Teach everyone that waving a light or flashlight lets firefighters know there is someone still in the home.

Practice your plan twice per year. Consider running a fire drill at night, but warn your children before they go to sleep. This will help them practice without frightening them.