Being caught in a fire is everyone’s worst nightmare. Most of us don’t imagine it will ever happen to us in this age of smoke alarms, sprinklers and fire safety. Would you know what to do if you were to discover a fire? It’s easier to act quickly if you have a plan in your head. Learn these next steps and share the plan with everyone in your home:

Shout the Alert

Ensure that everyone in your home knows there is a fire. Shout about it and gather everyone together as quickly as possible.

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Get out

Talk about an escape route with your family, so that everyone is familiar with what the plan is should there be a fire. Every workplace should have a detailed escape plan and staff meeting point with regular drills and fire assessments. For Fire risk assessment Gloucester, visit Keloscape. During your escape, it’s important to remember the following things:

  • Don’t pause to gather any items or look for your pets, however much you want to
  • Don’t try to investigate the cause of the fire
  • Where there is smoke, get down and crawl on the floor where the air is cleaner and cooler. Keep your nose as low to the ground as possible. Smoke is often the killer when people are caught in a fire as it’s highly poisonous
  • As you escape, only open doors that you need to for exiting the building and close any open doors to slow down the progress of the fire
  • Before entering any rooms with closed doors, touch the door with the back of your hand. If the door feels warm or hot to the touch, do not open as the fire is on the other side

What to do if your clothes catch fire

  • Fire likes air so don’t run around or you will make the flames burn faster
  • Immediately lie down which makes tougher for the flames to spread. Flames burn in an upwards direction so lying down will also help to protect your face and head
  • To prevent oxygen getting to the fire, smother the flames in a heavy material like a blanket or coat and roll around on the floor

As soon as you’ve escaped a property and you’re safe, use a mobile, phone box or neighbour’s phone to dial 999. When you’re in shock, it can be difficult to communicate. But you’ll need to give the whole address and town, what type of property is on fire and if anyone else is still inside and what room they’re in.

Never re-enter

Even if you think there is still someone inside the building, never go back in. Find a safe place and wait nearby for the Fire and Rescue Service. You can help by telling them what you know, and they will be far quicker at locating anyone than you would be. Re-entering the building puts you at further risk and gives the Fire Service one more person to worry about, extending the time it takes to rescue you and any other trapped persons.