Do not panic if you are trapped in a burning building.Some important safety rules will help you in making good decisions and increase your chance of getting out safely.If you have recently moved into a campus dormitory, a new apartment, or a hotel, you should be familiar with the building and its exits.Being prepared can help you remain calm, which can allow you to make better decisions when you need to decide if it is safe to escape during a fire.
Step 1: Ahead of time, plan your escape route.
There is no time to figure out an escape route during a fire.Bedrooms on the second floor should have an escape ladder near the window.Make 2 escape routes out of each room.
Step 2: It's a good idea to practice your escape plan with children.
Children can better remember what you taught them when they are prepared.Each escape route has you walking through it with your children.They can easily handle these tasks if they practice opening doors and pulling up windows.If you have older children with bedrooms on the second floor, have them use the escape ladder to exit through the window.
Step 3: Test your escape plan to make sure it works.
Step 4: The last person to leave each room should close the door.
This will give family members more time to get out of the fire.
Step 5: Family members can meet in a safe place outside the home.
This can be a neighbor's front yard or a safe location.
Step 6: There are signs of smoke coming through the door.
Don't open the door if you see smoke.
Step 7: It is possible to feel the closed door.
Move your hands down the length of the door to see if it feels hot.Don't open the door if it's hot to the touch.Touch the door to see if it's hot.It's possible to escape if you don't feel any heat.
Step 8: Go down to the floor and open the door.
There are signs of smoke and flames.Close the door and look for your second escape route if you see them.You can leave if the way is clear.
Step 9: Use the safest route out to move quickly through the house.
If you see smoke on your way out of the house but don't see flames, you have to crawl under the smoke to get out.You might need to go through another room to get out of the house if there is fire.Before moving from one room to another, test the doors and look for signs of fire.
Step 10: Check to see if family members are out of the house and call the emergency number.
Step 11: Stay calm.
When family members are all on the second floor and you can't use the stairway but the hall is clear, get everyone in the room that is the easiest to escape from.
Step 12: It's your second escape route if you open the window.
Use your escape ladder if you can safely exit through it.Send children first.Pass the children down to safety if you don't have an escape ladder.Adults and children can lower themselves to the ground.
Step 13: Once everyone is out of the house, dial the emergency number to report the fire.
Step 14: If you can't get out of the room, put your family in it.
Use a roll of duct tape under the door to keep the smoke out.Smoke can enter the room if the air vent and heat units are not covered.
Step 15: You can call the emergency number or the fire department.
Provide the location of the fire.Tell the emergency response operator how many people are inside the burning house.This should include if you are on the first or second floor, in the back, side or front of the house.
Step 16: If you don't have a phone, yell and signal for help.
To get attention, wave something out the window or shine a flashlight.
Step 17: Stay near the window until help arrives.
Everyone stays low when heat and smoke rise.