Fillable checklist

Fire Escape Plan Template: Home Exits and Meeting Place (Free Printable PDF)

Fillable home fire-escape plan: rooms, two ways out, meeting place, smoke and CO, kids, pets, and drills. Print blank or save a filled PDF.

Safety Fillable form · 9 sections · 42 checks Download filled or blank PDF and CSV Cross-checked against NFPA, Ready.gov, and American Red Cross · Last verified Sep 16, 2026

Snugage fillable checklist

Fill this on screen, then download a PDF or CSV. Download a blank copy to complete by hand. Answers stay in this tab only. The next visitor sees a blank form. This is a US home fire-escape plan: rooms and two ways out if you can name them, an outside meeting place, smoke and CO alarms, kids and pets, and practice including a night drill. It is not a licensed fire inspection and not a municipal occupancy or high-rise building plan. Mark N/A on equipment or practice items that do not apply.

  • 9 sections
  • 42 checks
  • Blank for each visitor

Form details

Household

This is a home fire-escape plan template, not a licensed fire inspection and not a municipal occupancy plan. NFPA and USFA also ask households with children to draw a floor plan. This form records rooms, exits, and the meeting place as write-in fields. Sketch a map on paper if you want one. Adopted fire and CO rules vary by state and city.

10 fields
Household

USFA has extra steps for high-rise and condo buildings (stairs, not elevators, unless the fire department directs you). NFPA notes some high-rise residents may be safer defending in place. Follow the building posted plan. This form is not that plan.

Count everyone who needs a way out, including infants. NFPA: pull the whole household into the plan.

Ready.gov: have a plan for children under six who cannot get outside by themselves. Name who will help each child, and a backup, in Extra help below or in the People checks.

NFPA: assign someone to assist infants, older adults, or people with mobility limits, plus a backup if that person is not home.

Red Cross: include pets in the family plan. Never delay escape or go back inside for a pet. Tell firefighters if a pet is still inside.

NFPA: memorize the fire department emergency number so anyone can call from a neighbor house or a phone once safely outside. Red Cross and Ready.gov: call 9-1-1 after you reach the meeting place.

NFPA: tell guests or visitors about the escape plan. This matters for sleepovers at other homes too: ask about their plan.

Form details

Meeting place and call plan

NFPA wants an outside meeting place a safe distance in front of the home (neighbor house, light post, mailbox, or stop sign). USFA and Red Cross use the same idea: pick a spot everyone can find, then stay there and call from outside.

6 fields
Meeting place and call plan

NFPA examples: neighbor house, light post, mailbox, or stop sign, a safe distance in front of the home. Red Cross: a neighbor home or a landmark such as a specific tree. Mark it on any floor-plan sketch you draw.

Ready.gov: once everyone is at the safe meeting place, call 9-1-1 and keep everyone close until firefighters arrive. Do not go back inside to call.

NFPA: go outside and check that the street number is clearly visible from the road so emergency crews can find you. Red Cross: make the house number readable from the street, even at night.

Red Cross: set a family emergency communications plan and make sure everyone knows who to contact if they cannot find one another.

USFA: leave the apartment, close the door, pull the fire alarm on the way out, use stairs, and do not use the elevator unless the fire department directs you. NFPA: some high-rise residents may be safer defending in place. This form does not choose for you. Follow the building posted plan and the fire department.

Form details

Rooms and exits 1 to 4

NFPA, Ready.gov, Red Cross, and USFA all ask for two ways out of each room when you can. A second way can be a window or an escape ladder on an upper floor. Write None if a room has only one usable way out.

16 fields
Rooms and exits 1 to 4

Form details

Rooms and exits 5 to 8

Leave unused room lines blank. Typical extras: other bedrooms, basement, living room, or a home office.

16 fields
Rooms and exits 5 to 8

Inspection station

Exit readiness

Walk every exit you wrote above. NFPA: routes must be clear and doors and windows must open easily. Mark N/A if the home has no security bars, no upper floor, or no walker or wheelchair.

9 items
Exit readiness

Doors and windows on the plan open easily

NFPA: when you walk the plan, check that escape routes are clear and that doors and windows can be opened easily. Ready.gov: windows must not be stuck.

Doors and windows on the plan open easily: Yes, No, or N/A

Doors and windows used as exits are not blocked

NFPA and USFA: items that block doors and windows can keep you from getting out. Unblock exits. Furniture, AC units, and storage in front of a planned window count as No.

Doors and windows used as exits are not blocked: Yes, No, or N/A

Window screens on exit windows can be taken out quickly

Ready.gov: make sure screens can be taken out quickly. Practice that motion so it is not the first time in the dark.

Window screens on exit windows can be taken out quickly: Yes, No, or N/A

Security bars have inside emergency release devices

NFPA: bars need emergency release devices inside so they open at once. Red Cross: if you have security bars, be sure one window in each sleeping room has a release device. Mark N/A if there are no bars.

Security bars have inside emergency release devices: Yes, No, or N/A

Upper-floor rooms have a second way out, or an escape ladder stored near the window

Ready.gov: a second way out can include an escape ladder for an upper level. NFPA: store the ladder near the window. Practice setup from a first-story window only, with a grown-up if children are learning. Red Cross: consider ladders for second or third floor sleeping rooms. Mark N/A on a one-story home with two ground exits.

Upper-floor rooms have a second way out, or an escape ladder stored near the window: Yes, No, or N/A

People who use a walker or wheelchair can get through the planned exits

Ready.gov: if you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be sure you can get through the doorways. NFPA: make arrangements for anyone with a disability. Mark N/A if no one in the home uses a mobility device.

People who use a walker or wheelchair can get through the planned exits: Yes, No, or N/A

House or building number is readable from the street, including at night

NFPA: check visibility from the road so crews can find the home. Red Cross: readable even at night. Paint the curb or add numbers if it is not.

House or building number is readable from the street, including at night: Yes, No, or N/A

Household plans to sleep with bedroom doors closed

Ready.gov: sleep with your bedroom door closed. NFPA and CPSC: a closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire and can give extra time to get out. You still need a working smoke alarm inside the room.

Household plans to sleep with bedroom doors closed: Yes, No, or N/A

Apartment or high-rise residents have read the building posted fire plan

USFA: know the exit stairs, leave, close the door, pull the alarm, and do not use the elevator unless directed. NFPA: some high-rise residents may be safer defending in place. Do not treat one of those lines as a national stay-or-go rule. Mark N/A for a detached house.

Apartment or high-rise residents have read the building posted fire plan: Yes, No, or N/A

Inspection station

Smoke and CO alarms

NFPA, CPSC, and Red Cross agree: test smoke alarms at least once a month with the test button. Ready.gov home-fire-escape-plan page says test twice a year. This form uses the monthly rule. Replaceable batteries at least once a year unless the unit is a sealed 10-year model. Replace the whole unit at 10 years.

11 items
Smoke and CO alarms

A working smoke alarm is inside each sleeping room

NFPA, CPSC Pub. 559, Ready.gov, and Red Cross all ask for an alarm inside bedrooms or every sleeping room. Mark No if a bedroom has none.

A working smoke alarm is inside each sleeping room: Yes, No, or N/A

A working smoke alarm is outside each sleeping area

NFPA and CPSC: also install an alarm outside each separate sleeping area, such as a hallway. A bedroom-only layout with no hall alarm is incomplete.

A working smoke alarm is outside each sleeping area: Yes, No, or N/A

A working smoke alarm is on every level, including the basement

NFPA, CPSC, Ready.gov, and Red Cross: every level of the home. NFPA and Ready.gov name the basement. Mark N/A only if the home is one level with no basement and the other two lines already cover it.

A working smoke alarm is on every level, including the basement: Yes, No, or N/A
Smoke alarms are interconnected so that when one sounds they all sound: Yes, No, or N/A

Smoke alarms were tested this month with the test button

NFPA, CPSC Pub. 559, CPSC 2022 battery release, and Red Cross: press the test button at least once a month. Ready.gov escape-plan page says twice a year. Use monthly. Teach children the sound while you test.

Smoke alarms were tested this month with the test button: Yes, No, or N/A

Replaceable batteries were changed in the last year, or the unit is a sealed 10-year model

CPSC and Red Cross: replace batteries at least once a year unless the alarm has sealed 10-year batteries. Ready.gov home-fires says twice a year as a reminder habit. Change a chirping battery at once. Do not invent a manufacture year.

Replaceable batteries were changed in the last year, or the unit is a sealed 10-year model: Yes, No, or N/A

Smoke alarms you can date are not more than 10 years past the manufacture date

NFPA and CPSC: replace the entire smoke alarm 10 years after manufacture. If there is no date, note that and plan replacement. Do not guess the year.

Smoke alarms you can date are not more than 10 years past the manufacture date: Yes, No, or N/A

CO alarms are on every level and outside each sleeping area

CPSC: install CO alarms on each level and outside sleeping areas. Red Cross home-fire page: a central location outside each separate sleeping area. Red Cross CO page and NFPA educational messages also put units inside sleeping rooms. Local CO laws vary. Have both smoke and CO. Mark N/A only if you have no fuel-burning equipment, no attached garage, and local rules do not require a CO alarm, and you still choose not to install one.

CO alarms are on every level and outside each sleeping area: Yes, No, or N/A

CO alarms were tested this month

CPSC: test smoke and CO alarms monthly. Follow the manufacturer. The test button checks circuitry, not sensor accuracy. Red Cross: replace units when the maker says the sensor has expired. Mark N/A if no CO alarm is installed and the line above is also N/A.

CO alarms were tested this month: Yes, No, or N/A

Household can tell smoke-alarm beeps from CO-alarm beeps

Red Cross: smoke alarms typically use three fast beeps. A CO alarm typically uses four fast beeps. NFPA educational messages: know the difference and how to respond to each. On either alarm, get out to the meeting place and call 9-1-1.

Household can tell smoke-alarm beeps from CO-alarm beeps: Yes, No, or N/A

Anyone who cannot hear or see a standard alarm has a working accessible alarm

Ready.gov: audible alarms are available for people with vision loss, and vibrating pads or flashing lights for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Mark N/A if no one in the home needs them.

Anyone who cannot hear or see a standard alarm has a working accessible alarm: Yes, No, or N/A

Inspection station

Kids, pets, and extra help

Mark N/A on child lines if no children live in or visit the home, and on pet lines if there are no pets. NFPA: the point of a night drill is practice, not fright.

10 items
Kids, pets, and extra help

Each child under 6 has a named adult helper, plus a backup

Ready.gov: plan who will help each child under six get out safely. NFPA: assign a helper for infants and a backup if that person is not home.

Each child under 6 has a named adult helper, plus a backup: Yes, No, or N/A

Children know what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do

Red Cross and Ready.gov: teach children the sound and the action. Test the alarm with them so the first time they hear it is not a real fire.

Children know what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do: Yes, No, or N/A

Children practiced going to the meeting place if no adult is in the room

Ready.gov: children should know what to do when they hear a smoke alarm and there is no adult around. Help them practice going to the outside meeting place.

Children practiced going to the meeting place if no adult is in the room: Yes, No, or N/A

Everyone is taught get out and stay out, including not going back for people, pets, or things

Red Cross, Ready.gov, and NFPA: once you are out, stay out. Only firefighters should go back in. Tell the dispatcher if someone or a pet is still inside.

Everyone is taught get out and stay out, including not going back for people, pets, or things: Yes, No, or N/A

Children are taught not to hide from firefighters

Ready.gov: teach children not to hide from firefighters. Firefighters have the gear to search. Hiding delays rescue.

Children are taught not to hide from firefighters: Yes, No, or N/A

Someone is assigned to wake anyone who does not wake to the alarm

NFPA: during a drill, see whether children and others wake to the smoke alarm. If they do not, assign someone to wake them in the drill and in a real fire. Children do not always wake when the alarm sounds.

Someone is assigned to wake anyone who does not wake to the alarm: Yes, No, or N/A

Pets are included in practice, and no one will delay escape to rescue a pet

Red Cross: practice taking pets with you and train them to come when called. Never delay escape or endanger yourself to rescue a pet. Ready.gov: if pets are trapped, tell firefighters right away.

Pets are included in practice, and no one will delay escape to rescue a pet: Yes, No, or N/A

Collars, leashes, or carriers are ready near an exit

Red Cross: keep collars on pets and leashes ready so firefighters can help. When you leave pets home alone, keep them near an entrance where crews can find them. Mark N/A if there are no pets.

Collars, leashes, or carriers are ready near an exit: Yes, No, or N/A

Pet-alert window cling is up to date, or there are no pets

Red Cross: affix a pet-alert window cling with the number of pets, and keep that number current. Mark N/A if you have no pets or you choose not to use a cling.

Pet-alert window cling is up to date, or there are no pets: Yes, No, or N/A

Infants, older adults, or people with a disability have a named helper and a backup

NFPA: assign someone to assist, plus a backup. Ready.gov: check that walker or wheelchair users can use the exits. Mark N/A if no one needs that help.

Infants, older adults, or people with a disability have a named helper and a backup: Yes, No, or N/A

Inspection station

Practice drills

NFPA, Ready.gov, and Red Cross: practice at least twice a year. Ready.gov and Red Cross: aim to get out in under 2 minutes. NFPA: as little as one or two minutes once the alarm sounds. Use Done, Skip, or N/A. Night drills come after children have practiced in the daytime.

12 items
Practice drills

Written plan shared with everyone who lives here

Ready.gov: make a written home fire escape plan. NFPA: pull the household together. Tell regular guests and sitters too.

Written plan shared with everyone who lives here: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household walked two ways out of each room, if a second way exists

NFPA: identify two escape routes out of each room if possible. Ready.gov, Red Cross, and USFA: two ways out of every room in case one is blocked.

Household walked two ways out of each room, if a second way exists: Done, Skip, or N/A

Practiced getting low and moving to the exit

Ready.gov, Red Cross, and NFPA: practice getting low and going under smoke. Heavy smoke and gases collect first along the ceiling.

Practiced getting low and moving to the exit: Done, Skip, or N/A

Practiced checking a door with the back of the hand before opening

Ready.gov: show a child how to use the back of the hand to check doors for heat, and to use a different way out if the door is hot. If the knob or door is hot, or smoke is at the cracks, keep it closed.

Practiced checking a door with the back of the hand before opening: Done, Skip, or N/A

Daytime drill started with the smoke-alarm test button

USFA and Ready.gov: push the test button to start the drill. Red Cross: press the test button or yell Fire. Assign one adult to run the drill and help young children.

Daytime drill started with the smoke-alarm test button: Done, Skip, or N/A

Timed a drill to the meeting place in under 2 minutes

Ready.gov and Red Cross: practice until everyone can get out in under two minutes. USFA: residents could have less than 2 minutes once the alarm sounds. NFPA: as little as one or two minutes. If you missed it, practice again. Do not invent a faster legal limit.

Timed a drill to the meeting place in under 2 minutes: Done, Skip, or N/A

Night or dark drill after children already practiced in the daytime

NFPA: let children master the plan before a night drill. Tell them there will be a drill before bed. Ready.gov: run the plan at different times of day or night. Red Cross: practice waking up to smoke alarms. Ready.gov also suggests practicing with eyes closed or in the dark.

Night or dark drill after children already practiced in the daytime: Done, Skip, or N/A

Practiced a second way out, not only the usual door

Ready.gov: practice different ways out. If the main door is the only route you ever use, a blocked hall will stop the drill and a real fire.

Practiced a second way out, not only the usual door: Done, Skip, or N/A

Everyone knows to call 9-1-1 from the meeting place, not from inside

Ready.gov, Red Cross, NFPA, and USFA: get out, stay at the meeting place, then call. Keep everyone close until firefighters arrive.

Everyone knows to call 9-1-1 from the meeting place, not from inside: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household reviewed stop, drop, and roll

Red Cross and Ready.gov: if clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll, then cool a burn with cool water and get medical help. This is not a substitute for getting out of the building.

Household reviewed stop, drop, and roll: Done, Skip, or N/A

Reviewed how to seal in and signal at a window if you cannot get out

NFPA: close doors between you and the fire, seal cracks and vents with tape or towels, call the fire department with your exact location, and wave a flashlight or light-colored cloth at the window. Ready.gov: same idea if you cannot get out. This is a last resort, not the first plan.

Reviewed how to seal in and signal at a window if you cannot get out: Done, Skip, or N/A

Next drill is on the calendar within six months

Twice a year means about every six months. Write the date in Sign-off. Do not wait for Fire Prevention Week as the only practice.

Next drill is on the calendar within six months: Done, Skip, or N/A

Form details

Drill record and sign-off

Write every No or Skip that still needs work. This worksheet is not a licensed fire inspection, not a home-inspection report, and not an official occupancy plan.

7 fields
Drill record and sign-off

Ready.gov and Red Cross use under 2 minutes as the practice goal. Write the clock time you measured. Do not invent a Pass or Fail faster than that.

Draw your signature, or upload an image to replace it.

Done with this walkaround?

Download a filled or blank PDF, or a CSV. Answers stay in this tab. The next visitor sees a blank form.

References

  1. How to make a home fire escape plan - NFPA
  2. Smoke Alarms - NFPA
  3. Educational Messages 2026 Edition (escape planning and CO alarms) - NFPA
  4. Practice Your Home Fire Escape Plan - Ready.gov
  5. Home Fires - Ready.gov
  6. Home Fire Escape Plans - U.S. Fire Administration
  7. 7 Ways To Prepare For A Home Fire - American Red Cross
  8. Fire Safety for Kids - American Red Cross
  9. Pet Fire Safety - American Red Cross
  10. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Safety Tips - American Red Cross
  11. Smoke Alarms: Why, Where, and Which?, Pub. 559 - U.S. CPSC
  12. Change Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Batteries as Daylight Saving Time Ends - U.S. CPSC

Printable checklist PDF and image

Blank printable PDF and a preview image of this checklist.

Fire Escape Plan Template: Home Exits and Meeting Place blank checklist
Blank checklist PDF Download PDF
Fire Escape Plan Template: Home Exits and Meeting Place blank checklist
Checklist image Download image

These checklists are provided for general reference only. Always verify the steps against local codes, a licensed inspector or a qualified contractor before relying on them, especially for safety-critical work.