It is important that you not only make a fire plan but that you practice it regularly. This keeps it fresh in everyone's mind.

• Hold fire drills at least twice a year. A good way to remember fire drills might be to have one every time someone in the family has a birthday. Of course, larger families will have more drills than smaller ones, but the more people you have, the more you should practice.
  
  
• Fire drills do not have to happen in the middle of the night or be a complete surprise in order to be effective. While a surprise drill may not be a bad idea once in a while, just having the drills is a good opportunity for everyone to practice what they know.
  
  
• Have family members start the drill from their bed. Be sure they crawl low and feel doors before opening them. Go down stairways on your bottom.
  
  
• Time your drills. Try to beat your previous time.
  
  
• It’s okay for the drill to be a game, especially for younger children. It is how most of us learn best. In fact, call it the fire drill game. It will seem less scary to a younger child.
  
  
• If your family gets really good at it then test them further. Make a sign that says "fire" and put it in the path of exit. Make them choose a second way.

NOTE: Stop the drill before anyone actually climbs out of a window so that no one gets hurt.