Home fire checklist
Last reviewed 2026-10-21
A short list to help prevent home fires and get out fast if one starts. It's based on US Fire Administration, Ready.gov and American Red Cross guidance, not advice about any one home.
Before a fire
- Put smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom and outside sleeping areas.Learn more: About smoke alarms (opens usfa.fema.gov)
- Test your smoke alarms every month.Learn more: About smoke alarms (opens usfa.fema.gov)
- Need smoke alarms? The American Red Cross offers free installation in some areas.Learn more: Smoke alarm visits (Red Cross) (opens redcross.org)
- Make a fire escape plan with 2 ways out of every room. Practice it with everyone in your home.Learn more: Make an escape plan (opens usfa.fema.gov)
- Pick a meeting spot outside.
- Learn when it's OK to use a fire extinguisher: only on a small fire, after others are warned and 911 has been called, and only if you have a clear way out. If you're unsure, get out.Learn more: Using a fire extinguisher (opens usfa.fema.gov)
- Stay in the kitchen while you cook on the stove. If you leave, turn the burner off.Learn more: Cooking fire safety (opens usfa.fema.gov)
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from heat sources, like space heaters, fireplaces and candles.Learn more: Heating fire safety (opens usfa.fema.gov)
If a fire starts
- Get out and stay out. Don't go back inside for anything.Learn more: Home fire safety (opens ready.gov) · LA: Learn more: Home fire safety (opens gohsep.la.gov)
- Call 911 once you're outside.
- If there's smoke, stay low and go under it to your way out.
- If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands and roll until the fire is out.
After a fire
- Don't go back inside until the fire department says it's OK.
- Contact your insurance company or agent to report damage.
- Need help after a home fire? Your local American Red Cross may be able to help.Learn more: Red Cross home fire help (opens redcross.org)
- Replace ID and papers that were lost.Learn more: Replace lost ID (opens usa.gov)
Sources: US Fire Administration (usfa.fema.gov); Ready.gov "Home Fires"; American Red Cross; NFPA; Louisiana GOHSEP.
Information from US federal and state government agencies and from nonprofit organizations. KAVO360 is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by any of them. Last reviewed 2026-10-21.
General information only, not advice about any one home. If there's a fire, get out and call 911. Follow your local fire department.
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Find help in your state
We list emergency management and insurance department links for every state, DC and Puerto Rico. For Louisiana and Florida, we also list more detailed resources, and we plan to add more states over time. The national links below have information for all 50 states, DC and US territories.
National resources
- DisasterAssistance.gov (opens disasterassistance.gov): Learn about federal help after a declared disaster.
- FEMA (opens fema.gov): Learn about disaster preparedness and recovery. Checked Oct 21, 2026
- NFIP FloodSmart (opens floodsmart.gov): Learn about flood insurance.
- Ready.gov (opens ready.gov): Learn how to prepare for emergencies.
- National Weather Service (opens weather.gov): See forecasts, watches and warnings.
These links go to government and program websites. KAVO360 isn't affiliated with any of them and doesn't decide who gets help. Each program sets its own rules.