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Public Education

Educational materials for people with disabilities

Smoke alarms
  • Test your smoke alarm at least once a month by pushing the test button. If you can’t reach the alarm, consider getting alarms that you can test with a flashlight or a television remote.
  • For added safety, interconnect all the smoke alarms so that when one sounds they all sound. This gives everyone more time to escape.
  • Smoke alarms with non-replaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. They can be helpful for people who have difficulty changing batteries.
  • People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing cannot depend on the sound of a regular smoke alarm to alert them to a fire. Learn about alarms with strobe (flashing) lights, download a comprehensive safety guide, and see our free safety tip sheet on fire safety for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.
Escape planning
Safety in the workplace

Information on emergency planning, suggested evacuation aids, drills and training, and practicing and maintaining workplace escape plans.

Safety in high-rise buildings

Information about working with building management, the local fire department, and other residents on safe evacuation practices.

  • English PDF or Word
  • Spanish PDF
  • Spanish for Latin America PDF

For public educators 

Emergency Evacuation Planning GuideIncludes a checklist that building services managers and people with disabilities can use to design a personalized evacuation plan.
  • PDF or Word Planning Checklist in Word
Teaching Tips for Fire Safety Educators of Children with Disabilities
Safety information needs to be conveyed in a way that gives all children the opportunity to learn and practice skills. Keep in mind that general fire safety tips still apply to all.
Student Planning Guide
Our student planning guide includes information to help teachers, administrators, and parents look at issues relevant to a student’s ability to evacuate a building in an emergency.
Teaching people with developmental disabilities
A developmental disability occurs when a child does not meet the developmental milestones (walking, talking, smiling, playing, learning to read, etc.) expected for his or her age.

NFPA report: Physical Disability as a Factor in Home Fire Deaths (2014)

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