Fire Evacuation Safety

Having a plan for fire evacuation is the first step in ensuring that you and others escape a fire without being injured. Fire drills help you remember what to do in case of a fire. Having a fire extinguisher available can also be helpful. However, if a fire gets out of hand, you may need to evacuate the location and call for help. Never try to put out a large fire on your own. It may spread very quickly and can cause serious injuries, or worse, death.

Creating a Plan

• When you create your fire safety plan, consider that a fire may happen at any location in your home or workplace. Plan exit routes for both ends of your location. Remember where fire hydrants and other safety equipment is located. Explaining this to others, and showing how to use the equipment, can be beneficial for everyone's safety. Have an assigned meeting place designated outside the area at least 100 feet away where everyone can meet upon evacuation. Remember to discuss your evacuation plan at least once a month. You can also draw your plan out of paper, or post the plan on a wall.

Before Evacuating

• If the fire is out of control, exit immediately. However, if you feel you have a few moments of time before you exit, there are some things you can do on your way out to help the Fire Department when they arrive. Turn on room lights as you are dashing by them to exit, and open draperies so the Fire Department can see fires and smoke from outside. Close windows and doors to prevent drafts and slow the spread of the fire. If there are sleeping individuals, wake them up by shouting or grabbing them.

During Evacuation

• When exiting the area, always test doors before opening them. To test a door, touch it with your hand and feel for heat. If there is heat present, do not open the door. However, if the door is not warm you can slightly open it and watch for smoke to come in through the crack. If there is no heat or smoke, you can safely enter that room. Put a rag or piece of clothing over your face and try to breathe in as little smoke as possible. Inhaling too much of this smoke could be fatal. If trapped in a room, keep your door closed. Stand in front of the window in full view until help arrives. If the fire comes into the room, consider jumping from the window. Shout to people outside for additional help before leaping.

After Evacuation

• Once out of the building or home, head to your designated meeting place. Meeting at least 100 feet from the fire gives the Fire Department adequate space to move freely around the area. Do not go back in the fire under any circumstances.

Calling for Help

• Use your cell phone, or borrow a neighbor's phone, to call for help. Do not panic. Quickly and calmly explain that there is a fire located at your address. If possible, give information on how the fire started, as well as information on any people or animals that may be left inside.