When a fire strikes, survival is key. Familiarize yourself with basic rules that could make the difference between life and death.
It can happen in the blink of an eye. A gentle breeze sends a curtain fluttering over a burning candle. A curious child tries to figure out the workings of a cigarette lighter. An oil-filled pan used for deep frying gets too hot. Suddenly flames are traveling up a wall and spreading across the ceiling. In a matter of minutes, thick, black and deadly smoke fills not only the room but the entire structure.
Although prevention is best, when a fire strikes anyway, survival becomes key. Taking a few minutes now to familiarize yourself with some basic rules could make the difference between life and death.
Smoke Detectors
Most people have heard the recommendation about ensuring that an adequate number of smoke detectors are in use, but this tip is worth mentioning again. Statistics show that more than half of all residential fire fatalities occur in homes that do not have smoke detectors. These inexpensive devices alert you to the presence of heat and smoke, giving you the precious extra minutes needed to get out of the building alive.
Unless you live in a very small house or apartment, one smoke detector usually is not enough. Smoke detectors should be on every level and located near each bedroom. Equally important as having smoke detectors is making sure that they are operational. Push the test button on the detector monthly and replace the battery at least every year. Many detectors have a safety feature that makes the device chirp if the battery is weak. Don't wait for this to happen. Replace the battery at least yearly. An easy way to remember is to do it every fall when you adjust your clocks at the end of daylight savings time.
Escape plan
Before a fire occurs, think about how you would escape if the normal exit were blocked by flames. All rooms in which people sleep should have windows large enough to easily climb out of. Upper-story bedrooms that do not open onto a porch or rooftop should have a metal fire escape ladder. Check the windows of all rooms to make sure that they are not stuck in the closed position. In addition, if windows have security bars, make sure they have a quick-release latch on the inside. Bars keep intruders out, but they also could trap you inside.
Leave Property Behind
Although it is hard to think of simply leaving behind possessions, that is what you must do if you are inside a burning building. Frantically searching for and gathering up valuables could cost you your life. You must get out and stay out.
Check Doors
When you are attempting to leave a burning building and come to an interior door, always feel the door with the back of your hand. If the door is hot, don't open it. Go out a window or another door instead. If the door doesn't feel hot, open it slowly. If there is smoke on the other side, quickly shut the door and take another route out.
Stay Low
If you have to go through smoke, stay low. Heat and smoke rise, and if you are standing, you are breathing in the heaviest concentration of toxic gas, as well as heat that can burn your lungs. Crawl to the nearest door or window, keeping your mouth and nose covered if possible. It takes only minutes to be overcome by fumes.
Away From Home
Fires don't happen only in homes. Most people spend a great deal of their time at work. Familiarize yourself with escape routes. When staying in a hotel, college dorm, or even at a friend's home, take a moment to look around and think about how you would exit in case of a fire. Remember that elevators should never be used during a fire.
Stop, Drop, and Roll
If, when exiting a fire, your clothing catches fire, immediately STOP, DROP, and ROLL. Although it is illogical, when a person panics, he or she might run to try to get away from the pain of the fire. Ingrain the Stop, Drop, and Roll phrase into your mind so that if it happens, you will have a better chance of remembering this rule in an emergency.
