The Dangers of Smoke

Follow these steps to protect yourself and your family from home fire smoke.

#BeKnowDo

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

DO practice your home fire escape plan.

Do this with every member of your home at least 2 times every year.

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.

Get out and stay out when your smoke alarm sounds.

Go to your outside meeting place and call 911.

If you live in a multistory building...

Feel your door before opening. If it is cool, open and close the door behind you. Leave by the nearest exit.

Pull the fire alarm and yell, "Fire!" on your way out.

Use the stairs, not the elevator, to leave the building.

Go to your outside meeting place and call 911.

If you can't escape from a fire...

Stuff wet towels or sheets around the door and vents to keep the smoke out.

Call 911 and tell them where you are.

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.

If you need help recovering from a home fire

Our free booklet can help you with what to do during the first 24 hours, insurance considerations, valuing property, replacing documents and salvage hints.

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Step up for fire safety!

Visit usfa.fema.gov for home fire prevention and safety tips.