Fire safety escape plan
Fire safety is a subject that everyone should learn about, and knowing how to escape a building if you find yourself in a structure fire is crucial for survival.
Always have a fire safety escape plan and know where all of the emergency exits are to increase your chances of getting out of the building alive.
Basic fire safety
Before mapping out an escape plan, you need to know some basic fire safety so you can make your way to the exits. It is also extremely important to have smoke detectors located throughout your home to alert you to a fire if you are sleeping. Smoke inhalation is the number one killer in fires. A structure fire contains lethal elements that can kill rapidly.
Ensure that you have a plan to prevent smoke inhalation and know what material to grab to keep yourself safe during your escape. Have some type of mask or fabric designated as part of your fire safety escape plan. If this is not possible, you can use your clothing or a wet rag placed over your nose and mouth.
Smoke from a fire rises, which is why you should get low to the ground so you can see where you are going and to minimize the amount of smoke you breathe in during your escape.
If you wake up to smoke in your room with the door closed, you should put your hand near the door to feel for heat. If the door is very hot you should not open it because of the risk of serious injury as well as let fire and smoke into the room.
Plan your escape
Families should practice their fire safety and escape plan regularly so everyone knows what to do and where to meet during an emergency. Teaching children exactly how to prevent smoke inhalation and showing them the proper escape route is crucial. Show them the different ways to escape and make sure they can open windows and get out of the building.
Even adults should check windows to make sure that they are able to open them. In some cases, a window can get stuck shut from paint or age. Periodically check that they open and close completely and are not blocked by anything on the other side like shutters and burglar bars.
Keep tripping hazards and debris away from walkways in the home so nothing blocks your escape. At work, there should be a fire safety escape plan in place that everyone knows. It is a good idea to practice a fire escape as well as go over evacuation routes and emergency exits. A diagram of the emergency exits somewhere visible is helpful in case someone unfamiliar with the building needs to evacuate.
Never take an elevator during a fire emergency because the elevator can stop and trap you inside. Always use the stairs if possible. If the stairs are already on fire, you should evacuate to the roof or at last resort out of a window if it is not too high. If you are in a high-rise building you can wave to people below to help them locate you for a rescue.
Learn CPR & First-Aid
Some of the most important safety training you can have is CPR and First-Aid or a combination of CPR and First-Aid training. Not only is CPR a lifesaver in a situation when a fire happens, but it can save a life in many different scenarios.
If you don’t know CPR you should take a certification class with us. If you are not able to commute or you have a busy schedule, you can take an online certification course, in as little as 30 minutes.
We contain all of the up-to-date information you need to save a life in an emergency situation. You can even print out your certification card directly from our website. Your certification is good for two years and follows the latest guidelines by the American Heart Association. Visit our home page at NationalCPRFoundation.com for more information about certification classes.
Always have a fire escape plan in place in case you find yourself in a structure fire. Know your plan and how to exit the building at work and at home. Teach children how to keep themselves safe and get out of the home or school quickly.
Fire Safety Equipment
Everyone should have basic fire safety equipment in their home to protect themselves and others from possible tragedy. Fires can happen at any time in any residence or building. Having the right fire safety equipment can not only alert you to danger, but it can also contain a small fire or even save a life.
Use this information to prepare your home and business for a potential fire and know what to do in case emergency situations arise.
Basic fire safety equipment
Fire safety equipment is anything that you can use to help keep you safe from fire or assist you in preventing and controlling fires. One of the most important fire safety items is a smoke detector. Smoke detectors alert you to the presence of smoke caused by a fire. Some models detect smoke and carbon monoxide, which is an added layer of protection.
Install smoke detectors near all bedrooms and in your kitchen where a fire is most likely to start. If you mount them to the wall outside of your bedroom, you will likely hear the loud alarm even if you are asleep, to alert you to the presence of smoke. If you are doing other things in the home you might not become aware of a fire until it is too late. Smoke detectors give you the opportunity to catch a fire to either extinguish it or escape it before it has the chance to burn out of control.
Another item every home needs is a fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers contain a material that smothers a small fire. Larger homes should have more than one fire extinguisher, and should they should receive an annual inspection to ensure that they are working properly.
Larger homes and businesses should have sprinkler systems installed to help control a fire. Sprinklers should mount to the ceiling and are activated by heat. All of these fire safety items either prevent, control, or alert you, and anyone in the structure, to a fire so you can take the appropriate action.
What to do when a fire breaks out
In the event of a fire, you should know exactly what to do quickly once you are able to access the situation. Upon hearing the smoke detector alert you to the presence of smoke, you should immediately find the source of the smoke to determine the severity of the situation.
If the fire is small, you should grab one of the fire extinguishers in the home and attempt to put it out. If your attempt is unsuccessful you should immediately evacuate yourself and anyone in the structure and make your way to safety. Call 911 and stand a safe distance away from the fire while you wait for help to arrive.
If you awake to your smoke detector alerting you to the presence of smoke you need to check your door for heat if it is closed before you try to open it. Opening a door that is near fire can cause serious injury and allow toxic smoke to pour into the room. If the door is not hot, you should cover your mouth and nose and evacuate to the nearest exit if not blocked.
If you don’t have another way out, you should exit through a window. If anyone in the structure is unresponsive you should get them out and check their vital signs. If they do not have a pulse or are not breathing, you should immediately perform CPR and call 911.
Everyone should have fire safety equipment in their home or business. These items can help alert you to a fire and enable you to either control the situation or help you escape to safety. A fire safety escape plan is the key to getting out of a structure fire safely. Learn how to exit the building and know how to administer CPR in the event of a life-threatening injury.
Knowing how to escape a fire is important for both children and adults. Map out a plan to exit the building safely and know how to administer life-saving techniques to fire victims.
