How to React to a Fire Alarm at School (Kids)

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 18, 2022 References

If you hear the fire alarm go off and you're at school, listen up. Your teacher and the other adults at your school are trained in fire safety. They will guide you and your classmates out of the building. When you hear the alarm go off, get quiet so you can hear your teacher. Follow all of their instructions. Remember to walk, not run, as you exit the building.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Evacuating the Building

1
Listen to your teacher. When the fire alarm goes off, get quiet and listen up. Your teacher will remind you of what to do. Don't interrupt your teacher or talk to students next to you. There may also be an announcement on the loudspeaker, so listen up for that as well.
2
Exit the building on your own if you are not with your class. The fire alarm might go off when you're in the bathroom or hallway. If the fire alarm goes off and you're not in your classroom, walk out of the building and go to the assembly point. Ask the nearest teacher or staff member what to do next.^{[1]
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- If you see a class exiting, join them. Tell the teacher you are from another class.
- If a teacher or staff member at your school gives you directions while you're on your way to the assembly point, follow them.
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3
Line up at the door. Your teacher will direct you to line up at the door. Line up in a single file line. Stay in your line.^{[2]
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- If you are someone's helper, line up with them.
4
Leave your things. When there's a fire alarm, it's important to react immediately! Don't worry about the project you are working on or the game you are playing. Put your things down.^{[3]
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- Your safety is more important than your things. Any stuff you bring with you will slow you down.
5
Walk outside quietly. Stay in your line as you leave the building. Follow your teacher to the nearest exit. While in line, stay quiet and keep your hands to yourself. Avoid pushing your classmates or any other students.^{[4]
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- Walk normally, and never run.
- Stay in line so your teacher can keep track of you.
6
Stay at the assembly point. Once your class has walked to the assembly point, your teacher will probably call roll. Listen for your name and respond when you are called.^{[5]
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- If the building is on fire and there is a danger of explosion, face away from the building.
- Do not re-enter the building unless your teacher directs you to.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Being Safe around a Fire

1
Stop, drop, and roll. If your clothes catch on fire, put the fire out by stopping where you are, dropping on the ground, and rolling. Rolling will smother the flames against the ground.^{[6]
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- Keep rolling until the flames are gone.
2
Get low to avoid smoke. Breathing smoke can hurt you and make you pass out. Smoke rises, so you can avoid it if you get under it. If you see smoke, crawl to stay below it.^{[7]
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3
Breathe through a cloth. If it is smokey, put cloth over your mouth and breathe through that. Pull your shirt up over your mouth, for instance. Put a little water on the cloth first if you can.^{[8]
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4
Yell for help. If you're alone and there's a fire, yell for help. If you are in your room and there's a fire in your house, open your window and yell for help. Yell until you have attracted someone's attention.
- Never hide when there's a fire. The firefighters need to be able to find you.
5
Alert others if you see fire. If you are at school and you see a fire, get away from the fire immediately. Run and tell an adult about the fire. Even if you or someone else started the fire, don't worry about getting in trouble. It's more important that nobody gets hurt.^{[9]
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- Pull the alarm.
- Use your phone to call an emergency number once you are out of the building.
- Call 911 if you are in the US, Canada, Mexico, or another country that uses 911 as an emergency number.
- If you are in Europe, call 112.^{[10]
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  Federal Communications Commission
  Independent U.S. government agency responsible for regulating radio, television, and satellite, and phone communications
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Community Q&A

Question

Will I get in trouble for talking or whispering during the fire drill?

Gamer_Galaxies

Community Answer

You mainly get in trouble for talking or whispering during a lockdown. It may be best not to talk or whisper during the drill because a teacher may be giving directions.
Question

What if I get in trouble?

Community Answer

You should only pull the fire alarm if you are in danger. You will get in trouble if you pull it for no reason, as that is dangerous and against school policies.
Question

How far away from the school building do students and staff have to be during a fire?

Community Answer

Students and staff should get as far away from the building as possible while still practicing basic safety (like staying out of roadways). Each school should have its own evacuation plan in place, including a meeting point for students and staff that have exited the building.