- Your safety
- In the event of a fire
- Escape Routes
Your chances of escaping a fire successfully will improve if you have an effective plan of action (fire escape plan).
Draw up an escape plan so that everyone in the house knows what to do if the smoke alarm goes off during the night.
Establish your route out of the house.
Include alternative routes in case the way is blocked.
Make sure that everyone knows where to gather once they are out of the house .
Wake all the members of your family and make your way out together through the nearest exit.
Once outside call the fire and rescue service on 999 using the nearest means possible
Stay out of the house until the fire and rescue service tells you it is safe to return.
Remember the fire service motto: Get out, get the Fire Service out, stay out!
Don’t delay to save valuables or look for pets.
Don’t investigate the fire
Do crawl on the floor if there’s smoke – the air is cleaner near the floor. On the floor, put your nose as low as possible – remember, smoke is toxic and can kill you
As you go out, only open the doors you need to and close any open doors you can to slow the spread of the fire.
Feel doors with the back of your hand before you open them, if they’re warm, don’t open them – the fire is on the other side.
If you’re escaping with others, stay together if you can.
Complete our online home safety check and you will get a personalised fire safety plan offering advice on how to prevent fires in your home.
Do the online home safety check
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service offer a free 'Safe and Well Visit' for people who are aged over 65 and for people who are referred to us by partner agencies because they are considered to be at a particular risk.
Safe and Well Visits incorporate the traditional fire safety information (and smoke alarm fitting), but also offer additional advice on slips, trips, fall prevention and bowel cancer screening.
Last updated: Thursday, 22 June 2023