This is the lesson to remember under stress. When a fire starts, your goal is simple: get out, stay out, and call for help from outside. Everything else, belongings, pets you cannot quickly reach, the cause, comes second to getting people out.

Here is the core response, in order. When the alarm sounds, go. Stay low under the smoke where the air is cleaner. Feel doors before opening them. Close doors behind you to slow the fire. Get to your meeting place, and call nine one one from outside.

Under stress, people make a few predictable, dangerous mistakes. Know them in advance. Do not hide, do not go back, do not use elevators, and do not waste time gathering things.

Two reflexes are worth memorizing. If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll, and cool the burn with cool water. If a cooking pan catches fire, slide a lid over it and turn off the heat. Never throw water on a grease fire: it will erupt.

Sometimes you cannot get out. If you are trapped, make yourself findable and protected. Close doors between you and the fire, seal smoke out, call nine one one with your exact location, and signal at a window.

Finally, plan for everyone in the home. A plan that only works for a fit adult is not a plan. Think ahead about children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pets, and build their needs into your drill.