How To Stay Safe In A Fire

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

In a fire stay calm and follow fire safety guidelines like these

A fire can occur at almost any time. If you know and practice some basic fire safety rules you can greatly increase the likelihood of avoiding the worst from a fire. Here are 10 quick fire safety tips to remember.

1. Stay calm.
When you stay calm you think better. Don’t react without thinking of the consequences.

2. Don’t open hot doors.
In a fire, before you open a door feel it with the back of your hand. Feel it from the bottom to the top. If the door is hot the fire may be right on the other side of the door. Opening that hot door puts you at risk of being burned and adding fuel (oxygen) to the fire.

3. Get down low.
You can best avoid smoke and heated gases if you stay low. The lower you are, the less likely you are to inhale smoke and dangerous gases.

4. Know if it’s safe to use a fire extinguisher.
In most cases, let professionals handle the fire. Only use a fire extinguisher when: 1) the fire is confined to a small area and is not growing, 2) the room is not filled with smoke, 3) everyone else has exited the building, and 4) the fire department has been called.

5. If you use a fire extinguisher, keep a safe distance from the fire.
Most fire extinguishers can reach 8 to 12 feet. Stay as far away from the fire as you can.

6. Use the PASS method.
P: Pull the fire extinguisher pin and hold the fire extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you.  
A: Aim low. Point at the base of the fire.
S: Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
S: Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

Concerned about a fire risk or fire damage? Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield. Call (860)461-7194

7. Never fight a large fire.
Only professionals can safely fight a large fire. Here’s a general rule of thumb: If the fire is bigger than you are, it’s too big for you to put out safely. So, you may be able to handle that pan burning on the stove. But the floor to ceiling curtains engulfed in flames is too much for a non-professional.

8. Keep the fire in front of you.
Never turn your back on a fire. During a house fire, conditions can quickly change. Stay aware at all times of the fire’s size, condition, and position.

9. Read the smoke.

More turbulent smoke means more dangerous fire conditions. If smoke is pushing out of the top of a door don’t enter that room. If an area is full of or filling fast with smoke the fire probably exceeds your ability to handle it. Call the professionals.

10. Have a designated meeting place.
Your family or employees should have a specific place well away from your home or business that you will meet at in case of a fire. Knowing where to meet and having two or more ways to get there reduces the risk of leaving someone behind or not knowing where everyone is if you evacuate your home or building.

If you can’t find a safe way to exit a burning house or building, stay in a fire-free, smoke-free room with all the doors to that room closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.

Perhaps most important: When house fire breaks out leave quickly, stay out, and call for help. Do not go back inside for anything.

Concerned About Fire Preparation? Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield Today. Call (860)461-7194.
 
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Every month on the SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield blog we publish educational articles on how Manchester and Mansfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm, and other damage. Here are a few blog posts that you might find helpful:  

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