Surviving a House Fire: Life-Saving Tips and Actions – The most important thing in case of a fire is to stay calm and get out of the situation as quickly as possible.
- The most important thing in case of fire is to stay calm and get out of the situation as quickly as possible.
- Calling 112 as soon as possible is key: time is the most important factor in saving lives.
- If your clothes burn, drop them to the ground and roll over them.
We rarely pay attention to it, but the possibility of having a fire at home exists, and contrary to what one might think, most of them do not occur in the kitchen. The most important thing is to take precautions and practice preventative safety, avoiding possible sources of fire. But knowing how to survive a home fire is important if you are affected by a fire at home or in your building (starting in a neighbor’s house or common areas).
How to survive a house fire: tips to get out unscathed
According to a study by the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU), most fires in homes originate in the living room, followed by the bedroom and, lastly, the kitchen. For this reason, fire detectors should prevail in these areas, taking into account that these are some of the elements that cause them most frequently:
- Electric system. A problem in the electrical network can end in tragedy. Also, a misuse of its elements (sockets, fuses…) or an abnormal rise in current.
- Stoves and fireplaces. If you have them, be extremely careful. These are direct fire sources that can spread extremely easily. Use protectors and avoid the proximity of textiles or any flammable material.
- Candles. Candlelight creates very pleasant environments, but we must always keep them under control. Their small size means we do not perceive them as dangerous objects, but they can be unstable and easily come into contact with any flammable surface. The fire spreads quickly if it finds elements that feed it, which is very easy in a home.
- Kitchen. Heat and accumulated grease are the perfect triggers, and the presence of electricity does not help. That is why it is important to be extremely careful in the kitchen and not neglect the oven or hob at any time.
As for what to do in the event of a fire at home, your goal is to get out of the house as soon as possible and take as many people with you as possible, but you won’t always be able to do it. Above all, stay calm and remember the steps you need to take. Unfortunately, saving your precious items is not on the priority list: time is key to getting out unscathed.
- Call 112. It is the emergency number. Explain the situation to your interlocutor, including the address, type of building, and occupation… and answer his questions. They will immediately send the necessary team to solve the situation, including firefighters, police, and medical personnel.
- React fast. As soon as you hear an alarm or notice the smell of burning, go into action and try to get out of the building quickly. Forget any objects and focus on people, but do not try anything beyond your possibilities: that’s what firefighters are for. Don’t hesitate to yell to alert others and wake up anyone who is asleep.
- Watch out for the doors. Look for smoke under the door – if you see it, there is probably more behind it and fire. Knock on the door to check if it’s hot; if it is, you won’t be able to use it to get out: keep it closed to keep the fire out of your room. If it’s cold, open it slowly and get out. Also, never go down a stairway flooded with smoke, and do not use the elevator under any circumstances. Access inside the building may be impossible, and you may have to be rescued through the window. In this case, try to isolate the possible entrances of fire as much as possible, avoiding the entrance of smoke. It is best to use damp clothes or towels.
- Avoid inhalation of smoke. It is better to move on the floor since it tends to rise. Don’t run, walk slowly, and don’t uselessly waste energy: you need to make the most of your oxygen, and inhaling smoke causes disorientation and could even knock you out. Cover your nose and mouth as much as possible to avoid this, also with a wet shirt or cloth.
- If your clothes burn, drop them to the ground and roll over them. It’s the best way to turn it off. Cover your face in the meantime to prevent burns.
- Ask for help from a window. You must ask for help in any way. If you get trapped in a front area (balcony, window), yell to make yourself noticed, and ask someone to do so if you haven’t been able to call for help. Hanging a white sheet is a way to attract attention since, for emergency services, it means that you need help. If the fire is in the room, you must close the window: leaving it open feeds the fire.
