All U.S. homes should have working smoke alarms.

Fires can be prevented. A few easy steps can save your life!

Ask family or friends to help install smoke alarms, test them monthly, and change batteries each year.

Make an escape plan that meets your special needs.

The fire department can help you with your escape plan.

Involve your family, building manager, or a friend in practicing your escape plan.

Ask emergency providers to keep your special needs information on file.

Caregivers or neighbors should help assist those with disabilities escape a home or apartment fire.

People With Mobility Impairments

Sleep on the ground floor. In an apartment building, live near the exit.

Keep a phone and emergency numbers within arm's reach.

Add ramps or widen doorways, if needed, to make escape easier.

If you use a wheelchair, consider mounting a personal fire extinguisher on the wheelchair within easy reach. Learn how to use it.

In case of a fire, if you can't crawl below smoke, cover your mouth and nose to avoid breathing deadly fumes.

Never use an elevator in a fire, unless the fire department tells you to.

People With Hearing Impairments

Install smoke alarms with flashing lights or vibrating signals.

Keep a TTY/TTD or other communication device nearby.

People With Vision Impairments

Install smoke alarms that have small windows of silence so you can hear instructions or voices of others.

Consider living or sleeping on the ground floor and near an exit.

People With Disabilities and Home Fires Facts

People with a physical or mental disability are more than twice as likely to die in a fire.

In the event of a fire, people with disabilities often rely on help from caregivers or neighbors.