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Home escape plan map

Home Escape Planning

During a fire, seconds matter. Make a home escape plan with your family so that you know what to do in case of an emergency and how to escape a fire.

Practice your escape plan monthly to ensure you and your loved ones know what to do in case of a fire.

With smoke alarms, your risk of dying in a home fire is cut nearly in half. Install smoke alarms outside every sleeping area and on every level of your home, including the basement.

Creating a Home Escape Plan

  • Draw a floorplan of your home and provide two ways out of every room.
  • If someone in your home has a disability, develop a home fire escape plan that considers their unique needs.
  • Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults, pets, and anyone who needs assistance to escape.
  • Choose a meeting place outside that is a safe distance from your home where everyone can be accounted for.
  • If you get caught in smoke, get low and go towards the nearest safe exit to avoid smoke inhalation.
  • Call 911 from outside of your home using a cell phone or your neighbours phone.
  • Once out, stay out. Never re-enter until you're advised it is safe to do so.
  • Practice your plan at night when children are sleeping.

How to Create a Home Escape Plan Video

More Home Escape Plan Tips

  • Make sure everyone in the household can unlock all doors and windows quickly, even in the dark. Windows or doors with security bars need to be equipped with quick-release devices and everyone in the household should know how to use them.

  • If you live in an apartment building, use stairways to escape. Never use an elevator during a fire. It may stop between floors or take you to a floor where the fire is burning.

  • If you live in a two-storey house, and you must escape from a second storey window, be sure there is a safe way to reach the ground.

  • While kneeling or crouching at the door, reach up as high as you can and touch the door, the knob and the space between the door and its frame with the back of your hand. If the door is hot, use another escape route. If the door is cool, open it with caution.

  • If you are trapped, close all doors between you and the fire. Stuff the cracks around the doors with towels or blankets to keep out smoke. Wait at a window and signal for help with a light-coloured cloth or a flashlight. If there is a phone in the room, call 911 and tell the operator exactly where you are.

Fire extinguisher in kitchen

Extinguishing a Fire

In some cases, you are able to use a fire extinguisher to put out a small fire in your home. Never put yourself or anyone in danger if the fire is too large or smoke becomes a hazard.

To use a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS, which stands for:

  1. Pull (the pin)
  2. Aim (the hose/nozzle)
  3. Squeeze (the handle)
  4. Sweep (use a sweeping motion to cover the flames)

A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives. A dry chemical fire extinguisher (class ABC) is recommended in all kitchens.

Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the number one priority is to get out safely.​​ By not calling 911 immediately, you will delay the fire crews' response, which then allows the fire to grow much larger and more dangerous. A fire doubles in size every 30 seconds. ​

If you're unsure of what to do, get everyone out of your home and call 9-1-1.

fire hydrant with surrounding snow removed

Keep Hydrants Clear

For your safety and the safety of your neighbours, it is important to keep hydrants clear and free of any obstructions in the event of an emergency. If there is a fire hydrant in front of or adjacent to your property, please ensure the hydrant is always kept free and clear of snow and long grass. 

Fire Prevention Inspections

Our Prevention Inspectors can perform personal inspections, test fire protection systems, review and create fire safety plans, and ensure compliance with the Ontario Fire Code.

Contact Prevention staff to book an inspection by calling 905-853-8842.

A Message from the Office of the Fire Marshal

The Office of the Fire Marshal released a video on September 28, 2022, pleading with Ontarians to check, replace, or install working smoke alarms on every level of their home and outside of all sleeping areas.

WARNING: This content may be disturbing or distressing to those dealing with trauma. This chilling audio reveals the mere seconds you have in the event of a fire. That missing sound could be the difference between life and death.