Mercury Insurance Urges Homeowners to Create -- And Practice -- a Fire Evacuation Plan

Mercury Kicks Off Fire Prevention Month with Practical Advice for Homeowners

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wildfire season is here and Mercury Insurance is emphasizing the critical importance of having a fire evacuation plan for your household, because it can make a huge difference when disaster strikes.

Fires can engulf an entire home within minutes, so an evacuation plan must be set, practiced and understood by all household members prior to a catastrophic event in order to minimize chaos and panic. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), only 1 in 3 American households have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.

"Many families take the crucial step of setting up a fire evacuation plan, but some don't take the time to rehearse it," said Kelly Butler, VP, Chief UW Officer for Mercury Insurance. "Once your plan is completed, it is important to practice at regular intervals to ensure everyone understands what to do and where to go."

Fire Prevention Month is the perfect time to put a plan in place and practice it. And to get things started, Mercury has created a checklist of things to consider:

• Create a Home Fire Escape Plan. When creating a plan, draw a map of your home, including all doors and windows. Also, make sure to identify at least two escape routes for each room and ensure that all exits are clear of obstructions.
  
  
• Choose a Meeting Place. Select a safe location outside, away from your home, where all family members can gather. Make sure you rehearse the plan every few months, so everyone is certain where the official meeting place is located.
  
  
• Practice Your Drill. Your family should conduct regular practice fire drills, including sounding the smoke alarm, to familiarize everyone with the escape plan and make it as realistic as possible.
  
  
• Prepare a Go Bag. Make sure to pack essential items such as medications, important documents, water, snacks, clothing and personal hygiene items. You won't have time to gather them during an emergency so make sure they are readily available.
  
  
• Ensure Your Car's Readiness. Park your car facing the direction of your planned escape route, with keys easily accessible. This will help avoid panic and confusion.
  
  
• Know Evacuation Zones. Familiarize yourself with your community's evacuation maps and designated evacuation zones so everyone knows where to meet up with your friends and family.

"The effectiveness of an evacuation plan comes down to how well a family prepares for it," added Butler. 

To watch a quick video about preparing a fire evacuation plan, visit https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OcdNYLke5dQ.

About Mercury Insurance

Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier predominantly offering personal auto, homeowners, renters and commercial insurance through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury writes other lines of insurance in various states, including commercial, business owners and business auto, landlord, home-sharing, ride-hailing and mechanical protection insurance

Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through more than 4,200 employees and a network of more than 6,340 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an "A" rating from A.M. Best, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For the latest news, please visit the new Mercury Insurance Newsroom at https://newsroom.mercuryinsurance.com/. For further assistance, contact us at [email protected]. For more information visit www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on X, Instagram or Facebook.

SOURCE Mercury Insurance