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This article guides homeowners through practical ways to plan and be ready for a house fire. It covers:
Did you know that over 350,000 house fires occur each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association? These fires result in approximately seven deaths each day, with the typical person having less than two minutes to escape a home fire once the smoke alarm sounds.
To help optimize safety for yourself, your family and pets during a fire emergency, it is advisable to develop and regularly rehearse a comprehensive fire evacuation plan. Here, we’ll go over the basics of a home fire escape plan and share some of the resources you need to help make preparation for a safe escape possible.
make a fire escape plan
Talk with a AAA Insurance agent today to explore available home safety information and potential discounts as well as coverage options.
When you think of a fire, you might picture a large industrial blaze, but the reality is much closer to home. According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2019 and 2023, home environments accounted for nearly a quarter of all reported fires in the United States. More alarmingly, these home fires were responsible for 70 percent of all civilian fire deaths and 74 percent of injuries during that same period.
Annually, this translates to an average of 328,590 home structure fires, resulting in 2,600 civilian deaths, over 10,770 injuries, and a staggering $8.9 billion in property damage.
The data also reveals a troubling trend: fires starting from upholstered furniture or mattresses are now more than twice as deadly as they were in the early 1980s, highlighting the critical importance of understanding and mitigating fire risks where we live.
This is primarily due to the fact that upholstered furniture and mattresses are petroleum-based polyurethane foam, which ignites quickly, burns extremely hot, and also releases a lot of energy fast.
Other leading causes of residential fires include unattended cooking, which accounts for a significant number of home fires each year, as well as electrical malfunctions, faulty heating devices and careless actions such as improper disposal of smoking materials (e.g., cigarettes or matches).
By recognizing these common risks, families can take proactive steps to reduce the likelihood of fire and help protect their homes and loved ones.
Here is a summary of key statistics related to home fires in the United States, showing their significant impact on lives and property.
| Statistic | Value | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Home Fires vs. All Fires | 24% | Nearly a quarter of all reported fires occurred in home environments. |
| Civilian Deaths in Home Fires | 70% | The vast majority of civilian fire deaths were caused by home fires. |
| Civilian Injuries in Home Fires | 74% | Almost three-quarters of all civilian fire injuries resulted from home fires. |
| Average Annual Home Fires | 328,590 | The number of home structure fires US fire departments responded to each year. |
| Average Annual Civilian Deaths | 2,600 | The estimated number of people who died in home fires annually. |
| Average Annual Civilian Injuries | 10,770 | The estimated number of people injured in home fires annually. |
| Average Annual Property Damage | $8.9 Billion | The direct cost of damage caused by home fires each year. |
| Fires in 1- or 2-Family Homes | 68% | These properties accounted for over two-thirds of all home fires. |
| Deaths in 1- or 2-Family Homes | 85% | These homes saw a disproportionately high percentage of home fire fatalities. |
| Increased Ignition Danger | Over 2x | The death rate from fires starting with furniture or bedding more than doubled compared to 1980-1984. |
A solid fire escape plan begins with creating a thorough fire evacuation map. While talking about fire safety is a great first step, putting actionable steps on paper or your mobile devices transforms abstract ideas into actionable life-saving strategies.
A visual map serves as the blueprint for your family’s safety, helping ensure that everyone knows exactly where to go when seconds count. An actual physical map can help family members visualize escape routes before a crisis occurs.
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Once you’ve created a fire evacuation map, practice your home fire drill with everyone in your family, and discuss your family’s plan for evacuating pets. Press the test button on your smoke detector to sound the alarm and begin your fire drill.
If you live in a condo or high-density apartment complex, it’s a good idea to collaborate with neighbors and plan a fire drill. Everyone in your building should know where the exit stairs and fire alarms are and how to escape in an emergency.
Make a buddy plan where you notify and account for certain people in emergencies and notify the fire department if someone is trapped in the building.
There are two main types of smoke alarms: battery-powered and hardwired. As the name suggests, battery-powered smoke alarms run on batteries.
These alarms are available at most big-box stores and can be installed in a matter of minutes. The downside is that you’ll have to test and replace batteries often, since this is their primary power source.
With hardwired smoke alarms, you hardly ever have to worry about depletion of the power supply or “chirping” sounds that result from dying batteries.
Hardwired systems require more work on the front end and are often best handled by licensed electricians for code and safety reasons. Overall, hardwired smoke alarms are a good choice for long-term reliability.
Whether you choose battery-operated or hardwired smoke alarms, homes should have them installed on every level, including the basement. Additionally, fire detectors should be installed in every room and outside each sleeping area.
In the event of a home fire, enact your prepared escape plan. Get low to the floor and crawl beneath any smoke as you make your way to an exit. If an exit door or window is closed and too hot to touch, or if you notice smoke billowing around that exit, use your second prepared exit.
If a person or pet in your home is trapped and cannot escape, leave the home immediately and call 911; inform the operator of the person's or pet's location.
If you can’t exit your home, close the nearest door and cover any vents and cracks around the door with cloth to minimize smoke. Call 911 if you can, and signal for help from any available window.
If your clothes catch fire, drop to the floor and roll back and forth until the fire is out, or smother your clothes with a blanket or towel. Seek medical help right away for any burns.
When an emergency strikes, time is your most valuable asset. Whether it’s a sudden house fire, a severe storm or a mandatory evacuation order, you may have only minutes to leave your home. In those high-stress moments, gathering essentials is not only difficult but also dangerous. This is where a "go bag" becomes a lifesaver.
A go bag—also known as a bug-out bag or emergency kit—is a pre-packed collection of essential items you can grab immediately on your way out the door. It ensures that you and your family have the necessities to survive and stay comfortable for at least 72 hours away from home.
Packing a go bag doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. You can build it over time. The goal is to keep it lightweight enough to carry but comprehensive enough to be useful. Here is a checklist of essentials to include:
Physical and mental disabilities can slow the escape from a house fire for millions of people, but there are steps you can take to help vulnerable individuals escape a house fire safely:
Prevention, planning and practice are key to helping protect your family and pets in a fire emergency. But even the best fire prevention strategies can’t guarantee that an accident won’t happen.
To truly prepare your family for a fire emergency, start by getting your home ready. Aside from fire detectors, it’s a good idea to install automatic fire sprinklers throughout various areas of your property.
Make sure your electrical system stays up to code and, when possible, choose non-combustible materials (e.g., metal, stone, stucco) for roofing, siding and decks. Fire-retardant fabrics and fire-resistant paints are another good choice for mitigating fire risk and are worth the added investment in your planning for upcoming renovations or remodeling.
While we hope you never have to use these plans, having them in place offers invaluable peace of mind. Fire safety is an ongoing commitment rather than a one-time checklist.
Take a moment this weekend to sit down with your family, draw your map, check your smoke alarm batteries, and start assembling your go bag. By turning these safety tips into regular habits and open conversations, you aren't just planning for the worst—you are actively taking charge to protect the people and pets you love most.
make a fire escape plan
Talk with a AAA Insurance agent today to explore available home safety information and potential discounts as well as coverage options.
A fire escape plan is crucial because you may have less than two minutes to safely exit your home once a fire starts. In the stress and confusion of an emergency, a practiced plan ensures everyone in your household knows how to get out quickly, where to meet, and what to do. It transforms panic into clear, life-saving actions.
Creating a plan is straightforward. Start by drawing a simple map of your home's layout. For every room, identify two escape routes—usually a door and a window. Ensure these exits are always clear and easy to open. Finally, choose a safe meeting spot outside, a good distance from the house, where everyone will gather after escaping.
The most common causes of residential fires include unattended cooking, faulty heating equipment, electrical malfunctions and careless actions like improperly discarding cigarettes. Understanding these risks can help you take preventative steps to make your home safer.
You should test your smoke alarms at least once a month by pressing the "Test" button. It's also important to replace the batteries at least once a year, unless you have a long-life sealed unit. A good habit is to change the batteries when you change your clocks for daylight saving time. The entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced every 10 years.
A go bag is an emergency kit you can grab quickly. It should contain essentials to last your family for at least 72 hours. Key items include:
If you are trapped, your priority is to put a barrier between you and the fire. Close all doors between you and the smoke. Use cloth or tape to seal vents and cracks around the door to keep smoke out. If there's a window, signal for help. Call 911 if you can and tell them your exact location in the house.
This information is being provided for general informational purposes only. The Auto Club Group does not assume any liability in connection with providing this information.
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