Knowing what to do in a fire outbreak can increase your chances of survival because when you fail to plan, you plan to fail. However, if there is fire, you must act quickly.
Your first priority in case of fire outbreak is to get yourself and your family members out as quickly as possible. And most importantly, under no circumstance should you stop to get your valuables. This article explains what to do to escape from a fire outbreak.
Below are some important steps to be taken during a fire. Kindly follow these precautions.
- React immediately: Try to exit the house as safely as possible the moment you hear your smoke detector goes off. If you can already smell smoke or see flames, you need to move quickly
- Feel doors for heat before opening them: When evacuating the building, be sure to feel doors for heat before opening them to be sure there is no fire danger on the other side. If you feel the door with the back of your hands and they are warm, find another exit. The fire may be right on the other side and opening the door can give it the oxygen it needs to spread
- Stay low to the ground to avoid inhaling smoke: Always ensure you stay low to the ground, especially your head since smoke is as a result of fire. You can either crouch or crawl to the nearest exit
- Don’t use elevators during a fire: Elevators can stop or break during fires, trapping you inside. Try and find your way to the stairs.
- Stop, drop and roll: If your clothes catches fire, stop whatever you’re doing immediately and drop flat to the ground. Roll around as this smothers the flames.
- If you can’t get out, secure your room and yourself: Place cushions, wet towels or bedding at the bottom of the door to block smoke. Then quickly call for help.
- Reach out to a fire emergency service provider: Once away and clear from danger, you can request for a fire emergency provider through our mobile app or call emergency services to inform them about the fire.
- Don’t go back inside: Once you have escaped a burning building, don’t go back in for anything. Even if the fire doesn’t seem bad from outside, the smoke and heat inside may be overwhelming.