Fire Safety Advice for Children, Young People and Adults with Autism

Autism spectrum conditions are lifelong developmental differences that can affect how people communicate and interact with the world which include how they react to safety messages, a smoke alarm sounding or a fire.

Photo of a side profile head with Tetris blocks instead of a brain

Understanding how some autistic children and adults might behave during a fire:

  • Autistic adults and children may hide during a fire to escape noise or confusion, so check wardrobes, under beds and behind furniture.
  • They may resist moving, so reassure them and calmly repeat instructions.
  • If you think someone may be autistic, make others aware so their needs can be considered.
  • Stay with them at all times or hand over to a carer or trusted person, and ensure they are closely supervised.
  • After rescue, they may wander or run off, especially due to alarm noise, and may not recognise other dangers.
  • Where possible, explain the escape plan in advance using simple, step‑by‑step instructions, and agree who will help them reach a place of safety.

Communication and Interaction

Tips to consider whilst interacting with an adult or child with autism whilst delivering safety messages:

  • Always use their name, if you know it, so that they know you are talking to them.
  • Provide one instruction at a time, so that the person is not overwhelmed with information.
  • Use simple words and say it slowly.
  • Use visual aids to support understanding.

Things to also consider during emergency situations:

  • Some autistic children and adults will be sensitive to environmental stimuli – move them to a quieter, less crowded place when it is safe to do so.
  • Some autistic children and adults may feel anxious in unfamiliar situations, which will be heightened in an emergency situation.
  • Some autistic children may have delayed language, and some autistic adults may not use speech. In these cases, alternative ways of communicating will be needed.

Sensory Sensitivities

Some children and adults with autism may have varying degrees of sensitivity to sensory stimuli. During an emergency situation, there is likely to be lots of noise, bright and flashing lights, and lots of unusual people around which may agitate children and adults with autism. It is good to recognise how people with sensory sensitivities may react so you can best help them during an emergency.

  • Children and adults with autism and anxiety may become frightened in response to sensory stimuli which can manifest as repetitive behaviour.
  • They may feel overwhelmed due to sensory overload and may struggle to explain why.
  • Autistic adults and children may not have a typical range of sensations and may not feel the cold, heat, or pain in a typical manner, and therefore they may fail to acknowledge the sensation or show an unusual response.
  • People with sensory sensitivity may not like the feel of certain materials, have strong reactions to smells, sirens and/or flashing lights, and may not allow you to touch them.
  • Exposure to lots of sensory input may make someone feel overwhelmed which could result in a ‘meltdown’ e.g. shouting, screaming, crying, and lashing out.
  • ‘Shutdowns’ are also caused by sensory overload and anxiety. If a person is experiencing a ‘shutdown’ they become still and unable to communicate or move.

Explore ‘graded exposure’

If you or someone you know has sensory sensitivities, it would be a good idea to prepare for when a smoke alarm sounds so as to practice a safe response. Research indicates ‘graded exposure’ to hearing a smoke alarm can be effective for getting over a particular fear and for learning safe behaviour such as what to do in an emergency:

  • Record or play the sound of the smoke alarm and play it back quietly. The volume can be increased over time to enable desensitisation.
  • Practice the escape route by walking it together to avoid confusion in a stressful situation. This could be combined with the sound of the smoke alarm being played.
  • Ear defenders may be useful if the person is sensitive to sound to help them control the situation.
  • Remember to speak calmly and directly.
Further information for Autistic adults and children