People and movement
Make a home fire escape plan
A fire plan should fit your home and everyone who lives there. Work out how you would raise the alarm, reach safety and call for help. If you live in a flat or shared building, first confirm its fire strategy with the landlord or managing agent. Different buildings have different arrangements.
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Last checked: 7 November 2026 How we evaluate sources
Start with the right building advice
For a house, identify the normal exit and discuss what you would do if it were blocked. Ask your local fire service for advice if a safe alternative is unclear.
For flats, including converted buildings, get the actual evacuation instructions. Some buildings use a stay-put strategy for a fire elsewhere; others require everyone to leave. Do not choose a strategy based only on the building's height or a general online guide. Ask how alarms, evacuation routes and any support arrangements work.
Fire service guidance for houses and converted flats (opens in a new tab)Fire service guidance for blocks of flats (opens in a new tab)
Know what changes in an emergency
If fire, smoke or heat affects your home, alert others and leave if the route is safe. Close doors behind you, stay outside and call 999. Do not stop for possessions. Firefighters or the call handler may give instructions specific to the incident.
If you cannot escape safely, move away from the fire into a room with a closing door, ideally with a window. Close the door, call 999 and explain your location. Do not enter a smoke-filled route to follow a plan that is no longer safe.
Household planning checklist
- Walk through the agreed route together in normal, safe conditions.
- Keep exits, hallways and stairs clear, including communal spaces.
- Keep necessary keys where household members can quickly find them.
- Choose an outside meeting place that does not obstruct emergency crews.
- Make sure everyone knows the address to give the 999 operator.
- Show visitors, carers and overnight guests the relevant plan.
- Check that smoke or heat alarms suit the home and can alert everyone.
Plan for help before it is needed
Consider children and anyone who may need support to hear an alarm, understand instructions or move to safety. Include temporary difficulties such as an injury. Contact your local fire and rescue service for tailored home safety advice.
In a flat, discuss individual evacuation support with your landlord or housing officer. Ask what arrangements apply if the usual helper is absent. Your plan should reflect real abilities and the building's arrangements, including any instructions about lifts.
Find the right type of home escape advice (opens in a new tab)
Rehearse and report problems
Practise calmly and revisit the plan after a move, a change in mobility or changes to the building's fire instructions. Report blocked communal exits, damaged fire doors or faulty self-closing devices to the responsible person promptly. If concerns remain unresolved, seek advice from your local fire service. Keep fire doors closed and never wedge them open.
Common questions
Should everyone in a flat leave when there is a fire?
It depends on the building's strategy and whether fire, smoke or heat affects you. Know the written arrangements in advance and follow incident-specific instructions from firefighters or the 999 operator.
What if someone cannot use the stairs?
Arrange tailored support in advance with the building manager and local fire service. Do not rely on an improvised lifting or carrying plan. During an emergency, tell 999 the person's exact location and needs.
Make your next step practical
Keep preparing
Evidence and service information
Sources behind this guidance
We develop our guidance using the sources below. Check the named organisation for current service details, live warnings and local instructions. Sources checked 7 November 2026.
- Home escape plansLondon Fire Brigade
- Escape plans for houses and converted flatsLondon Fire Brigade
- Escape plans for blocks of flatsLondon Fire Brigade
- Smoke alarms and heat alarmsLondon Fire Brigade