What to Do in the Event of a Fire
Whilst fire prevention is of critical importance, the reality is that fires can still occur unexpectedly. In such cases, it is important that you remain calm whilst also having a clear understanding of what to do. This will help to reduce the potential for catastrophic damage and loss of life. Fire can spread rapidly, and what may seem small initially has the potential to turn into a life-threatening scenario within minutes. Here’s what to do in the event of a house fire.
Grab the Fire Extinguisher
As soon as you hear the sound of a fire alarm, you should immediately grab your fire extinguisher. This is the first line of defence against fire, with the potential to extinguish the fire immediately before it gets out of hand. If your attempt to extinguish the fire fails, don’t hang around. Evacuate immediately and await assistance from the fire brigade.
Alert Other Occupants
Whilst smoke detectors and alarms are designed to alert others, sometimes people may not hear them or they may malfunction due to lack of maintenance or battery failure. You can alert other building occupants to a fire in the building by shouting loudly.
Find the Nearest Safe Exit
Don’t be tempted to try and gather valuables, instead focus on making a safe evacuation from the burning house. You can always inform the fire brigade of the location of any valuables, and they will attempt to retrieve them once the fire is under control.
Stay Close to The Ground
A range of toxic gases are released during house fires, and combined with smoke they can cause people to feel dizzy or potentially lose consciousness. It is best to stay as close to the ground as possible to minimise inhalation of smoke and toxic gases. If the nearest exit is a window, crawling may be the best way to reach it. If your clothing catches fire, roll on the ground to extinguish the flame.
Close Doors Behind You
Whilst evacuating, closing the doors behind you can help to slow the spread of the fire. If you come across a closed door whilst attempting to reach a safe exit, check the doorknob to see if it is warm to the touch as this could indicate a fire burning on the other side, and you may need to find another path to safely reach the exit.
Once You are Out, Stay Out
Once you have safely exited the burning building, make sure you do not re-enter. Keep a safe distance from the fire, as there is potential for part of the house to collapse. If you believe that there may be people or pets still inside the burning building, make sure to notify the fire brigade immediately so that they can attempt to rescue them.
Fire Prevention is Important – Protect Your Loved Ones with Astute Fire
House fires can cause immense damage, and potentially even injury and death. If you find yourself caught in a house fire, it is important to remain calm and immediately call for help. Astute Fire are a leading fire safety service committed to protecting life and property, contact us today to discover how our fire safety solutions can bring safety and peace of mind to your building and loved ones.