Being prepared for when there is a fire in your office is very important, or even if it is in a public space like a mall or a cinema. There are specific precautions you can take and tips you can follow to help you survive the smoke and get as far away from the flames as possible.
In this article we’ll give you some handy pointers on what to do in the case of such an emergency. Be sure always to call the fire department first.
1. Identify the Fire Exits
Wherever you find yourself, always ask about the location of fire exits, if they are not marked, request this to be done. Be sure you know where you will be able to escape in the case of an emergency.
2. Call the Fire Department
As soon as you have established that there is in fact a fire, call the fire department. Give them the address and make sure you know where to go. The sooner you call them, the sooner they’ll be on scene.
3. Exit the Building
Make your way towards the exits. If there is no visible smoke, walk. If the building is filled with smoke, crawl to the nearest exit. The key is to avoid breathing in too much of the smoke.
4. Avoid Elevators
Think it’ll be a quick escape? Think again! Elevators are likely to malfunction in the case of a serious fire. Avoid going to the nearest elevator and stick to the stairs. You don’t want to get stuck in a burning building!
5. Wet Clothing and Towels
If you end up going to the bathroom, wet clothes or towels and put them over your nose. Use some wet cloths to put over any openings in the door or window frames. This will reduce the smoke in the room.
6. Don’t Break Windows
We understand that more than anything else, you want to get out to safety. Breaking windows is however not the best way. Air can feed the flames and smoke, making matters far worse.
7. Remain Calm
Most importantly, you need to remain calm. If you start to panic, you may do something that could lead to tragedy. Remain calm and composed, and focus on getting to your nearest exit.
The most important thing to takeaway here is always to remain calm when in an emergency situation. Even though it is not easy, staying calm will be the deciding factor when you find yourself in a life or death situation.
