![Fire is Everyone's Fight](./assets/ze9hVqu7ZQ/fief_horiz_white-675x314.png)
The Dangers of Smoke
Follow these steps to protect yourself and your family from home fire smoke.
#BeKnowDo
![](./assets/EEKeGGcq9y/fallback-1280x720.jpg)
BE aware of smoke.
Did you know that smoke is poisonous and kills more people in home fires than flames do?
The most common poison in smoke is carbon monoxide (CO). CO can make you feel disoriented, unable to remember where you are or how to get out of your home.
![Photo of a smoke detector mounted on a ceiling with smoke surrounding it](./assets/7sB275i9Uh/smoke-detector-with-smoke-4096x2025.jpg)
KNOW there is little time to escape from a home fire.
Thick black smoke can fill your home in just a few minutes and make the inside of your home completely dark.
![](./assets/Agca0s58gz/main-fallback-1280x720-1280x720.jpg)
Protect yourself and your family from a home fire and its dangerous smoke.
DO make a home fire escape plan.
![Photo of an escape plan drawing on a table with crayons](./assets/4WUnx9Clv3/escape-map-1800x925-1800x928.jpg)
DO install smoke alarms
in every sleeping room,
outside each separate sleeping area,
and on every level of your home.
Test your smoke alarms once a month. Replace smoke alarms after 10 years.
![A line drawing of a 3 storied house without any smoke detectors. Outside the house is a smoke detector symbol with the word TEST written on it.](./assets/wWBJN7NjSr/floorplan_1-4096x3912-3-4096x3912.png)
![A line drawing of a 3 storied house with three smoke detectors on the top level. Outside the house is a smoke detector symbol with the word TEST written on it pointing to the top level of the house with the three smoke detectors.](./assets/XTOAYYvZB0/floorplan_2-4096x3912-1-4096x3912.png)
![A line drawing of a 3 storied house with three smoke detectors on the top level and one smoke detector on the second level. Outside the house is a smoke detector symbol with the word TEST written on it pointing to the top level and second level of the house.](./assets/e35WsdUBrn/floorplan_3-4096x3912-1-4096x3912.png)
![A line drawing of a 3 storied house with three smoke detectors on the top level, a smoke detector on the second level and a smoke detector on the ground floor level. Outside the house is a smoke detector symbol with the word TEST written on it pointing to all three levels which have smoke detectors.](./assets/aLmyFz8eCF/floorplan_4-4096x3912-1-4096x3912.png)
DO practice your home fire escape plan.
Do this with every member of your home at least 2 times every year.
![Practice your fire escape plan graphic](./assets/ZGBPsQqNPR/practice_map-600x508.png)
If you have a fire...
When smoke alarms sound, or if you smell or see smoke, get out of your home right away.
Get low to the ground and go under the smoke to the nearest exit.
![Smoke is poisonous animated graphic](./assets/GQn5Mfd4KF/smoke-is-poisonous-600x634.gif)
Get out and stay out when your smoke alarm sounds.
Go to your outside meeting place and call 911.
![Family at designated meeting place graphic](./assets/LvkxvT2VJi/get-out-and-stay-out-633x634-633x634.png)
If you live in a multistory building...
![Animated graphic showing a woman feeling doors to see which is cool before escaping a building](./assets/MgNAgYvhFQ/ezgif-3-66f79a0391.gif)
Feel your door before opening. If it is cool, open and close the door behind you. Leave by the nearest exit.
![Graphic showing a hand pulling a fire alarm](./assets/t7y7BQP78E/pull-fire-alarm-633x634-633x634-396x397.png)
Pull the fire alarm and yell, "Fire!" on your way out.
![Graphic indicating the stairs should be used instead of the elevator](./assets/ckIiySxll7/pull-fire-alarm-3-396x397.png)
Use the stairs, not the elevator, to leave the building.
![Family at their designated meeting place](./assets/MIp0zG9lUc/pull-fire-alarm-4-396x397.png)
Go to your outside meeting place and call 911.
If you can't escape from a fire...
![Boy placing a towel under the door](./assets/mMrTD48xEc/cant_escape_1-1800x1799.png)
Stuff wet towels or sheets around the door and vents to keep the smoke out.
![Boy calling 911 from his apartment](./assets/r4EsqHJthZ/cant_escape_2-1800x1799.png)
Call 911 and tell them where you are.
![Boy at window with a towel outside of it](./assets/bki6jch6ae/cant_escape_3-1800x1799.png)
Open a window slightly and place a bright cloth outside to signal your location. Close the window so the air does not pull smoke into the room.
For more information
If you need help making a home fire escape plan
Watch this video and use this fire escape grid to make a plan.
If you need help getting and installing smoke alarms
Call your fire department or local American Red Cross chapter for potential assistance in your area.