Having a home evacuation plan and knowing how to enact it can mean the difference between life and death. Yet, only a small number of families (25 percent) have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan to ensure they could escape quickly and safely. Making a family escape plan should involve all members of your family. So take the time to gather your family together to make a step by step emergency escape plan. Include children in the planning as well.

1. Make a floor plan of your home.

2. Find two ways out of each room and mark both ways on the floor plan. Discuss the best escape routes with each family member and remember that windows can be used as exits. Be sure all windows you plan to use as exits can be opened.

3. Pick a meeting location right outside the house for everyone to meet after they have escaped the house. This way you will know if anyone is missing.

4. Practice your plan to make sure everyone knows how to get out. Intentionally block one exit in each room so that you can practice using the alternate exit. Get out quickly but carefully. Physically walking through your plan and identifying all escape routes greatly helps everyone understand the best ways to get out safely.

5. Remember, get out FIRST,  and call the Fire Department SECOND.

6. Once you are out, stay out. Do not go back inside for any reason. Only professional firefighters should enter a building that is on fire - even if the residents - pets or prized possessions are inside.

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Family members also need to be educated about what to do if they need to escape through a burning house:

• Crawl low under the smoke.

• Use the top of your hand to feel top of doors, doorknobs and the cracks between doors and doorframes to make sure fire is not on other side. If heat and smoke come in when you open the door, slam it shut and use an alternate route.

• If you are unable to leave the building, seal doors and vents with duct tape or towels to prevent smoke from entering the room.

• Open a window at the top and bottom so fresh air can enter; be ready to close the window immediately if it draws smoke into the room. Call the Fire Department and let them know you are trapped inside. Wave a flashlight or light-colored cloth to let rescuers know where you are located.

• Don't waste time saving property.

• If someone is missing, tell the firefighters, who are equipped to perform rescues.

• Install smoke detectors on every level of your home outside sleeping areas.

• If you live in a two story home, consider purchasing escape ladders for each bedroom. Know how to use them and store them near the window. If the stairs are blocked with debris or smoke, the window may be the only means of escape.

• Make certain your house number is visible from the street in both the day and night to make sure the Fire Department can easily find your home.

• If your windows are equipped with security bars, make certain they have quick release devices installed and make sure everyone in the family knows how to use them.

• Test your smoke detectors once a month and replace the batteries twice a year. It is recommended that you change your smoke detector batteries when you change your clocks.