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Ready in 5 · Lesson 3 of 6 · About 5 minutes

House fire

A house fire is a large fire in a house or apartment. Source: Wiktionary (opens in a new tab)

Go at your own pace. You can do this lesson alone or with a support person. Read each question, think about your answer, then press Show the answer.

Step 1: Identify the alert

How do you know there is a house fire?

Think about your answer first. Then check it.

Show the answer

The smoke alarm goes off, or you smell smoke or see flames.

Step 2: Stay or go

Do you stay where you are, or leave?

Think about your answer first. Then check it.

Show the answer

Go. Leave the house, but don't run. If there is smoke, crawl low to the door.

Step 3: Call 911 or not

Do you call 911?

Think about your answer first. Then check it.

Show the answer

Yes, but get outside first. Call 911 after you are outside and away from the building.

Step 4: Stay calm

You know what to do. Let's take a minute to calm down.

  1. Take a deep breath in.
  2. Slowly let it out.
  3. Try it one more time: breathe in, then slowly breathe out.

Step 5: Take action: Drop, move, call 911

Practice these three steps. Say them out loud, then act them out.

  1. 1stA person getting down on their hands and knees under a cloud of smoke

    DROP!

    Drop down to the floor, under the smoke.

  2. 2ndA person crawling under smoke toward an open door

    MOVE!

    Crawl out the door.

  3. 3rdA telephone and the number 911

    CALL 911!

    Call 911 after you are outside and away from the building.

Stay safe

  • Don't stop to take your things. Just get out.
  • Once you are out, stay out. Never go back inside a burning building.
  • Pick a meeting spot outside, like a mailbox or a tree, so people know you are safe.
  • Ask your support person to help you test your smoke alarm.

Your house fire drill card

Print this card and keep it in your wallet, on a lanyard, or by the door. The pictures show the three steps.

Download the drill card for house fire (picture file)

House fire drill card with pictures of the three steps: drop, move, call 911.

Finished the lesson?

Mark it done to keep track on the training page. This is saved only on this device.

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