Home fire safety and escape
Keep the fire escape route clear
Keep the route from the flat door through the corridor to the stairs free of shoes, boxes, bicycles, and rubbish.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-20
Why it matters
Smoke and darkness can make small obstacles delay or block escape.
Wrong action
Unsafe: Storing items at the entrance, common corridor, or staircase.
Correct action
Keep the route from the flat door through the corridor to the stairs free of shoes, boxes, bicycles, and rubbish.
What to do
- Check ignition sources, detectors, and the escape direction first.
- Keep the route from the flat door through the corridor to the stairs free of shoes, boxes, bicycles, and rubbish.
- Check the door and escape direction daily and ensure the door can open from inside without a key. Afterward, recheck for any flame, heat, or obstruction.
If something happens
Leave by stairs and close doors only when the escape route is safe and clear of smoke. If the corridor or all stairs are blocked by smoke or fire, shelter in a safe unit behind a closed door, seal gaps, and call 999 with your trapped location. Do not use lifts or return into danger for belongings.
Sources and review
- Hong Kong Fire Services Department — Fire Escape
Last reviewed: 2026-08-20
This page provides general home-safety information and does not replace medical, legal, electrical, or other professional advice.
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