Escaping from a Fire
Make sure you and those you live with know how to escape in the event of a fire.
In the event of a fire, remember - time is the biggest enemy and every second counts!
In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames.
The most important thing to remember if a fire starts is to get out, stay out and call 911. You should never try to fight a growing fire by yourself.
Make an Escape Plan and Practice It
Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly.
What to Do If You Have to Escape from a Fire
If the smoke alarm goes off or you smell smoke or discover a fire, shout to wake everyone up/alert them and get everyone together if possible. Follow your escape plan and get out of the building.
- Do not stop to investigate the fire or to collect valuables or pets.
- Use your escape route to get everyone out and meet at an agreed point.
- Close any doors which are open, and only open the doors you need to go through. This will help to stop the fire spreading so rapidly.
- Check doors with the back or your hand. If a door is warm, don’t open it, the fire is on the other side.
- If there is a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor as the air is cleaner.
- Once you’ve got everyone out of the building, call 911 from any phone. Give the operator your name and address.
- Don’t go back into the building for anything. If there is still someone inside, tell firefighters when they arrive – they will be able to find the person quicker and more safely than you.
- Find somewhere safe to wait for the Fire Department. When they arrive, try to give them as much information as possible about the fire and building.
Escaping from a window
- You should only try and escape through a window if on the ground or first floor, and your escape route is blocked by objects, fire, or smoke.
- If you have to break the window, cover jagged glass with towels or thick bedding.
- Throw bedding or other soft materials onto the floor below the window to break your fall.
- Don’t jump out of the window – lower yourself down to arms length and drop to the ground.
- If you have any children, elderly or disabled people in the home, plan the order you will escape in so that you can help them down.
High rise apartments
- High rise apartment buildings are built to be fire resistant and their walls, ceilings and doors will hold back flames and smoke for a period of time. If there's a fire elsewhere in the building you're usually safer staying in your apartment unless heat or smoke is directly affecting you.
- If there is a fire in your apartment, set off the building fire alarm and leave. Alert others to the fire by shouting or banging on doors
- If there is a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor where it will be easier to breath.
- Don't use the building's elevator if there is one. Exit the building via stars.
- Call 911 and give the operator the address of the building including the number of your apartment, and tell them which floor the fire is on.
Calling 911
If you need the Fire Department, police or an ambulance you should call 911. All 911 calls are free. You can make them from any phone, including mobile phones.
Don't call 911 if it is not an emergency. All 911 calls are recorded and you are breaking the law if you make a hoax emergency call.
When you get through, the operator will ask you which emergency service you want: fire , police or ambulance service. Please listen carefully and be patient. They will ask you a number of questions. Answer the questions clearly, and don't put the telephone down until you are told to do so.