What You Should Do If Caught in a House Fire

Raging flames are ripping through your home – a terrifying sight we all hope we never have to experience. But the reality is that many residential fires occur in the U.S. Cooking equipment alone accounted for an average of 172,100 home fires per year in 2012-2016.

Tips to Escape a House Fire.

Here are tips to escape a house fire if you ever experience it.

• Use a fire extinguisher – but only if safe. Attempt to fight only very small fires in initial stages. DO NOT attempt to extinguish any fire if it threatens your safety. Fires can increase in size and intensity in seconds, blocking exit paths and creating a toxic atmosphere.
• Scream out lout to inform others in the house of the fire situation. Relying on smoke alarms to inform others may be too risky as they can malfunction or have low batteries. Get yourself and your family members out as quickly as possible.
• Follow your fire escape plan and fire drills you’ve practiced. Take the safest escape route while staying as low as possible. Cover your nose with a shirt or damp towel. You might have to crawl under the smoke to avoid inhaling it. Note that smoke is deadlier than flames in a house fire.
• Don’t waste time picking up your valuables. It usually takes less than 30 seconds for a fire to get out of control. Fires can spread even faster in homes with synthetic furniture and furnishings. A few seconds can be the difference between life and death.
• If smoke is coming through the cracks of a door, do not open it. Also, touch the door and doorknob with the back of your hand to check if it’s hot. If yes, find another way out (door or window) to avoid the flames and smoke behind that door.
• In case it’s safe to open an interior door during a fire (smoke isn’t entering through the cracks and the doorknob is cool), open it and check if the way out is safe. If a burst of heat and smoke pours into the room, stay in the room and close the door. Otherwise, get out of the room and follow the safest escape route. Stay as low as possible and find the nearest exit. Close the doors behind you to prevent the fire from spreading.
• If there’s no safe exit (not even an escape ladder on a higher floor), stay in the room and seal the door and air vents with sheets or duct tape (if available) to prevent smoke from entering. Then call 911, open a window and yell for help. Wave a bright piece of cloth or use a light so that the firefighters can spot you. Children should never hide under the bed or in the closet to make it easier for firefighters to find them.
• If your clothes catch fire, remember to “stop, drop, and roll” to put out the flames. Cover your face with your hands while doing so.
• Do not use elevators. If power cuts occur, you could end up trapped inside the elevator, putting you at higher risk. Always use the stairs.
• Once you get out, go to the assigned meeting place and stay there! Never go back into a burning building under any circumstances. Let firefighters, who have the necessary training and equipment, save others in your property.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do first if I’m caught in a house fire?

If you’re caught in a house fire, your first priority is to get out immediately. Do not try to collect belongings. Stay low to avoid smoke, check doors for heat before opening them, and use the safest exit route available.

2. How can I escape safely during a house fire?

During a house fire, crawl close to the ground where the air is clearer, avoid using elevators, and cover your nose and mouth with a cloth to reduce smoke inhalation. Always have an escape plan in advance with two exits from every room.

3. Should I try to extinguish the fire myself?

Only attempt to put out a house fire if it is very small and you have a working fire extinguisher. If the fire is spreading quickly or producing heavy smoke, evacuate immediately and call 911 from outside the home.

4. What should I do if smoke is blocking my way out?

If smoke traps you during a house fire, close the doors between you and the fire, seal gaps with wet towels, and signal for help from a window. Try to stay near a window for fresh air until firefighters arrive.

5. How can I help others during a house fire?

During a house fire, shout to alert everyone and help children, elderly individuals, or people with mobility issues evacuate first. Never re-enter the building once you’ve escaped; let firefighters handle rescues.

6. What should I do once I’m safely outside?

Once outside a house fire, move far away from the building and go to a pre-planned meeting spot. Call emergency services immediately and notify them if anyone is still inside. Do not go back in for any reason.

7. How can I prevent injuries during a house fire?

To reduce injury risk in a house fire, stay low to avoid toxic smoke, cover your nose with fabric, and touch doors with the back of your hand before opening them. Avoid running through flames and stop, drop, and roll if your clothes catch fire.

8. What should I do after firefighters extinguish the fire?

After a house fire, wait until authorities declare the area safe before re-entering. Contact your insurance company, document damage with photos, and begin the claims process for fire restoration and recovery.

9. How can I prepare for a possible house fire in the future?

To prepare for a house fire, install smoke alarms in every room, test them monthly, and practice escape drills with your family. Keep fire extinguishers accessible and create a written fire safety plan.

10. Who should I contact after a house fire for cleanup and support?

After a house fire, contact professional fire damage restoration services to handle cleanup safely. You should also reach out to your insurance provider, local fire department, and community organizations for temporary housing and assistance.

For professional smoke odor removal or fire damage repair in Coral Gables and environs, contact us on +1 305 894-4343.