Escape Fires

Fire can spread quickly through your home, leaving you with little time to respond and escape.

Make an escape plan:

• Draw a floor plan of your home
• Include all possible emergency exits
• Include any important features that could help with your escape
• Mark two escape routes from each room
• Remember — some people may need help to escape
• Choose a place outside where everyone will meet
• Call 911 from a neighbour's home
• Make sure everyone is familiar with the home escape plan
• Practice the escape plan.

Visit the Ontario Government’s Fire Safety at Home page to plan your fire escape. 

• Get a copy of the fire emergency procedures from your building management and read them carefully.
• Be familiar with exits and stairwells in your building.
• When you hear an alarm, exit the building as quickly as possible. If you cannot safely reach an exit, take refuge in an apartment suite as quickly as possible. Take actions to protect yourself from smoke. Call 911 and provide details of your situation and location.
• If the suite fills with smoke, move to the balcony (if you have one) and close the doors. If you do not have a balcony, go to the most smoke-free room, close the door and seal it with tape and towels.
• Open the window for fresh air but be prepared to close it again if this makes conditions worse.
• Never break the window to get fresh air or you will not be able to seal close it if conditions change.
• Keep low to the floor where the air is cleaner.