House fires grow from small sparks to life-threatening disasters in just minutes. During such situations, running for your life is your top priority. But it seems that fire is not the only enemy; you need to race against time as well, while the conditions are not always the same. Not all homes are of the same size, while most families are large.
Naturally, preventing fire is always best. And thinking about the aftermath, like finding a fire damage restoration company or what to do with the insurance company is not things you consider when your house is in flames. During such terrible moments, one thing is important; your safety. And so, we are here to help you think through the steps you may need to take should there be a house fire.
Extinguish fire, if possible
Where there’s a spark, there’s also a flame. And flames become fires. The ideal will be to put out the fire while still small and not threatening. Have you got a fire extinguisher? Because that’s your first stop should you see a spark anywhere in the house. Keeping a fire extinguisher in the house is as important as making a note of the number of the fire department and pinning it on the fridge. So, if there’s a small spark in the kitchen while you are cooking, grab the fire extinguisher right away. If you hear the fire alarm coming off, pay attention, search the house, be ready to put the sparks out.
Scream “Fire”
Even if this is a small spark, it’s best to inform the other members of the family so that they will be ready to go, too. So, yell. If you smell smoke, if you see a fire, even if you see a tiny flame, start yelling.
Evacuate
Say, the house fire has already grown and spread. You need to evacuate and fast. But be careful where you step, what you touch, how you move. Unless the path, lying before you, is untouched by the flames just yet, be very cautious. Cover your head with a blanket or a wet towel to protect your hair from catching fire. They burn in seconds.
Crawl. Unless the hallway is clear from fire at this point and you can easily open the door and go, crawl keeping your eyes everywhere to watch for falling items or ceiling planks.
Protect yourself and the children
The safety of your children has top priority. But to be able to get them out with safety, you need to be able to move too. That’s the first safety rule in airplanes too. You wear the oxygen mask first and then to your child. Same logic here. So, cover your head and also, your nose and watch how you breathe. One of the worse enemies during and even after fires is the smoke. No wonder fire and smoke damage services are very important.
Watch what you touch, where you go
During fires, the temperatures are high. Everything you touch might burn you, especially if the material is iron or anything metal. And although this may seem to be a minor problem when your life and the life of your family is threatened, the wrong move due to a sudden burn may cause extra troubles. And then, if the knob of the door feels warm when you barely touch it, there’s likely a fire behind the door.
If this is two-story home and the fire finds you upstairs, watch how you get downstairs. Make sure the staircase is intact from the fire and won’t fall. Make sure the floor is solid too and won’t collapse. If you are trapped in a room but there’s no fire yet, see if you can open the window and scream for help.
Your goal is to find the nearest exit, touch the least of things possible, and move with caution. If you move from one room to another and is possible, close the doors behind you. The fire will be delayed for a while.
Exit and don’t go back in
Make it out with safety, call (if you haven’t already) the fire department and a fire restoration service team. Don’t go back into the burning house even if a child is left behind. Tell the firefighters, or both your life and the child’s life may be lost.
Remember that the flames kill as much as the smoke. And so, keep crawling when you are trying to exit the house since you breathe better down below. Always remember that panic – although hard to avoid, does more harm than good. Do your best to keep it together. Be prepared.
