It’s late at night, and you’re asleep in bed. Suddenly, you hear a loud alarm go off – the smoke alarm! Waking up, you realize that your bedroom is beginning to fill with smoke pouring in from the lower floor of your home. What should you do?
Each year, thousands of homes are destroyed in house fires. However, it’s a fact that many of the people that die in house fires each year could have escaped safely, if they had a fire escape plan. Here are a few tips on how you can survive a house fire.
Tip 1 – Stay Calm.
The most important thing to remember during a house fire is – Don’t Panic! Keeping calm will allow you to think clearly, and will greatly improve your chances of survival.
Tip 2 – Check Your Doorknob.
If you are in a room with a closed door, lightly tap the doorknob to see if you detect heat. If your doorknob is hot, don’t open the door! A hot doorknob could mean that the room or corridor on the other side of that doorknob has already become enveloped in flames. If possible, try to secure another escape route from your home.
Tip 3 – Stay Low.
A large percentage of the people that die in house fires each year actually die from smoke inhalation. To keep your lungs clear – stay low to the ground! Smoke will collect closer to the ceiling first. If you can, use a damp cloth to cover your nose and mouth, since this will also help minimize the amount of smoke you inhale.
Tip 4 – Call 911.
IMMEDIATELY after you detect smoke, call 911! If you wait too long, the damage to your home could prevent you from having access to your landline phone.
Tip 5 – Stop, Drop and Roll.
If any portion of your clothing or hair catches on fire, remember to STOP, DROP and ROLL. This is the best way to put out fire! Never run in an attempt to reach a sink or bathtub, since this could only cause more of your clothing or hair to catch fire.
Tip 6 – Plan Ahead.
The best thing that you can do to help improve your chances of surviving a house fire is to plan ahead. Establish a fire safety plan with your family, as well as a designated meeting spot. Make sure everyone knows the fastest way to escape from every floor, including basements and attics. If necessary, draw up a list of fire safety tips that can be posted in visible areas of your home.
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