Home Safety: What To Do In Case of a House Fire

House fires kill more than 2,000 people every year in the United States. In addition, over 12,000 others are injured in these home fires. To help prevent a home fire from taking a tragic turn, it is important that you know what to do in the event one breaks out in your home. Here are some tips you can follow to stay as safe as possible when a fire occurs in your house.

Get out of the Home

The most important step you must first take when a fire occurs is to get out of your home just as fast as you can. Do not waste time trying to gather up your possessions. Make sure to get everyone else out of the home while you are on your way out including pets if possible. Go to the nearest exit whether it be the front or back door or a window. Once you get outside, if you haven’t yet, call 911 and wait for the fire fighters to arrive. As long as everyone is out, do not go back into your home while it is still burning.

Exiting Safely

It is important to exit your home as safely as possible. The first thing you have to know is the proper route to take. You should always be aware of the most direct, quickest routes to exit your home from any location. When you are leaving, make sure to check doors carefully before opening them. Look for smoke coming out from the door. If you see smoke, then you need to leave the door closed and take an alternate exit route. If there is no smoke, then place the back of your hand to check for heat on the door before opening it. If there is heat, then leave the door closed and take an alternate route.

If there is a lot of smoke, then you should crawl as you are leaving. Though it will take you longer to get out, it will keep you from becoming disoriented from smoke inhalation. Keep in mind that most people who die in home fires die from smoke inhalation rather than burns.

Call the Fire Department

Once you are sure that everyone is out of your home, you can then call the fire department. You can use your cellphone if you have it on you. If you don’t, you can head to the nearest neighbor to ask them to dial 911.

Make Sure the Fire Hydrant Is Clear

If a fire hydrant is blocked, it could make the fire damage much worse. According to Terminal City Iron Works Ltd., fire hydrants should have at least 15 feet of space for fire trucks to access them. While you are waiting for the fire trucks to arrive, make sure that the fire hydrant is unblocked. If there are any cars near the hydrant, find the owners to get the cars moved before the trucks get there.

The key to staying safe when a home fire breaks out is to stay calm. If you follow these tips, it will help you to avoid panicking. Keeping a cool head will help you to stay as safe as possible when a house fire happens.