Fires are unprecedented disasters that can claim lives in a matter of minutes. When a fire occurs, the most crucial factor to survival is knowing how to escape. Whether you are in a residential home, an apartment complex or a high-rise building, understanding what to do during a fire incident can greatly increase your chances of getting out of the building alive and uninjured. ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief has compiled some tips to help you survive a fire and get your family to safety.
What to Do When a Fire Occurs
- In the event of a fire, trying not to panic and keeping a clear head will help you greatly.
- Screaming out loud will inform everyone in the building about the fire if alarms are not functional.
- Get everyone out of the area as quickly as possible using your pre-planned escape routes. Take the safest route out. Escape down and do not go to the roof or lavatories.
- Do not go for the elevator as there is always the risk of a power outage. Use the stairs instead.
- Smoke rises, so if you must move through a fire, stay low or crawl on the floor where the cleaner and cooler air is and where it is easier to breathe. Cover your nose with a damp shirt or towel.
- Do not stop to collect valuables or possessions. Your life is more important.
- Do not stop to look for pets.
- As you leave a room, close all doors behind you to delay the spread of fire and smoke.
- Before you open a closed door, touch the handle or doorknob with the back of your hand first. If it feels warm, the fire will be on the other side of the door. If the doorknob feels hot or if smoke comes out of a closed door, find another way out (e.g. windows).
- If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll until the flames are put out.
- If escaping is not possible, stay where you are and seal doors and air vents to prevent smoke from entering. Use sheets or duct tape if there is any. Call emergency services, open a window and scream for help. Get the attention of firefighters by using a light or waving a bright cloth.
Once you have escaped the building, do not go back in.
- Find somewhere safe near the building and wait for the fire service to arrive.
- If someone is still inside the building, tell the fire service and give details.
- By going back into the building, you’ll prevent the fire service from doing what they need to do and put your own life at risk, too.
A fire incident is extremely dangerous. The immediate step to take after the fire settles is to clean up the site completely to restore the property back to normal. After a fire is out and firefighting efforts have stopped, call a reliable fire damage restoration company to handle cleanup and repairs.
Make an Appointment With One of Our Fire Damage Restoration Technicians in Oldsmar, Florida
At ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief, we provide fire damage restoration quickly, effectively and efficiently without causing disruption. We are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (813) 295-7797. You may also connect with us online to schedule an appointment. We serve residential and commercial properties in Oldsmar, Florida and the surrounding areas.
- Highly skilled technicians
- Preferred by insurance companies in Florida
- IICRC-certified firm
All our fire damage restoration technicians are fully trained and have years of experience. Don’t know what to do next? We do. Contact us today.
