House fires are pretty common and every year they do a lot of damage. They can destroy your house in worst case scenarios also lead to fatalities. It is essential to take precautionary measures against the fire hazard. Installing house fire alarms along with mains powered smoke alarms is important because they will alert you of the danger and help you in minimizing the damage.
It is also critical that you know what to do in case of a house fire. If you are unaware of the necessary steps that you need to take then you will panic and instead of decreasing the extent of damage you will just end up increasing it. Knowing what to do a house fire emergency can make a huge difference and save precious lives.
Here are some important steps that you need to keep in mind if you ever get caught in the middle of a house fire emergency.
Try Extinguishing the Fire:
If the fire has just started and it is just in one small area then you should try extinguishing it. If your pan has caught fire then you can use a fire extinguisher to kill it on the spot and prevent it from spreading. Using a fire extinguisher is extremely easy. All you need to do is pull the pin, aim at the fire and squeeze the handle of the extinguisher. Make sure that all the members of the family know how to use an extinguisher. Do not stop until the house fire is completely out. If it is smoldering then it is still dangerous.
Escape to Safety:
If the fire is spreading too quickly and it is not possible for you to extinguish then you need to escape to the safety.
- Fire is extremely dangerous because it not only burns but also produces poisonous gases like carbon monoxide and smoke that can lead to loss of consciousness and make it impossible to escape so it is essential to make sure that you do not inhale the smoke as you are trying to get out of the building. To avoid inhaling toxic gasses and fumes you should crawl instead of walking. Crawling allows you to move under the fire and you do not inhale the dangerous stuff. Crawl to the nearest exit.
- If the nearest exit is a door then before opening them you should check the door and its doorknob for heat because you do not want to walk blindly into raging fire. If the door and the doorknob are too hot then you need to find a second exit. If you open a door and all you see is fire and smoke then shut it and go to another exit.
- If there is only one exit and it is full of smoke and house fire then you should get some towels, blankets, jackets or sheets and wet them and put them under the door so that the toxic gas and fumes do not get in. Open the window and hang a towel or a sheet or a bright clothing item so that the fire department can spot you.
Call for Help:
As soon as you are out of the house or away from the fire you should call the fire department.