What to do if this happens? · Safety series

A fire starts at home. Now what?

Three of the most common home fires, and exactly what to do in the first seconds.

The rule that beats every other rule

  1. Get outEveryone leaves right away. Things can be replaced. You cannot.
  2. Call from outsidePhone the fire service once you are safe. Do not stop to grab things.
  3. Stay outNever go back in for pets, phones or valuables. Firefighters will.

Save your local emergency number in your phone today. Common ones:

  • USA / Canada 911
  • UK 999
  • EU 112
  • Egypt fire service 180
  • Australia 000

Fight it or leave it?

You may only try to put a fire out when every answer on the left is yes. One “no” means leave.

Try to put it out only if

  • The fire is small, no bigger than a wastebasket.
  • You have a clear way out behind you.
  • You have the right extinguisher or a lid or blanket to hand.
  • The room is not filling with smoke.

Leave immediately if

  • The fire is spreading or is between you and the exit.
  • You cannot breathe easily or the room is smoky.
  • You are not sure what is burning or how to put it out.
  • Your gut tells you to go. Trust it.
In the kitchen

A pan of oil catches fire

Hot oil can ignite when it overheats. Water makes it far worse: it sinks, turns to steam instantly and throws burning oil across the room.

  1. Turn off the heatOnly if you can reach the knob without reaching over the flames.
  2. Slide a lid over the panUse a metal lid or a baking tray. Slide it on from the side, keep your arm low, and leave it in place. Without air the flames die.
  3. Do not lift the lidWait until the pan is completely cool. That takes a long time, often more than 30 minutes.
  4. Small flames only: baking sodaThrow plenty of baking soda or salt on it. Never flour or sugar, which can burn or explode.
  5. Still growing? Leave and callClose the kitchen door behind you and call the fire service from outside.

Never

  • Pour water on it.
  • Carry the burning pan anywhere, not even to the sink or outside.
  • Fan the flames with a towel.

Prevent it

  • Never leave hot oil unattended. Turn the heat down if it smokes.
  • Keep a lid close at hand while you fry.
  • Dry food before it goes into hot oil.
The problem: burning oil.
The fix: heat off, lid on, wait.
In the living room

A power strip smokes or sparks

Too many devices on one strip, a strip plugged into another strip, or a damaged cord can overheat. Water and electricity is a deadly mix, so this fire needs a different plan.

  1. Do not touch the strip or its cordsThey may be live and very hot.
  2. Cut the power at the sourceSwitch off the breaker or fuse box, but only if it is away from the fire and you can reach it safely.
  3. Small fire and the right extinguisher?Use a CO2 or dry powder (ABC) extinguisher. Aim at the base of the flames from a safe distance.
  4. Anything more? Leave and close the doorGet everyone out and call the fire service from outside.
  5. AfterwardsThrow the strip away. Have an electrician check the outlet before you use it again.

Never

  • Use water or a wet cloth.
  • Pull the plug out with your hand while it is sparking or smoking.
  • Leave it “to see if it stops”.

Prevent it

  • Plug heaters, kettles, microwaves and other high-power appliances straight into the wall.
  • Never plug one strip into another.
  • Replace frayed or warm cords. Do not run them under rugs.
An overloaded strip: warm to the touch is the first warning.
In the bedroom

A heater sets the curtains alight

Fabric burns fast. A curtain fire can reach the ceiling in seconds and fill a room with smoke in under a minute.

  1. Do not try to beat the flames outFabric fires spread to you and the room quickly.
  2. Get everyone outWake anyone sleeping. Shout “Fire!” on your way.
  3. Close the door behind youA shut door slows smoke and fire and buys time for everyone.
  4. Call the fire service from outsideGive the address first, then say what is burning.

Never

  • Go back for a phone, shoes or documents.
  • Open windows on the way out. Fresh air feeds the fire.

Prevent it

  • Keep heaters at least 1 metre (3 feet) from curtains, beds and clothes.
  • Plug heaters into the wall, and choose one that switches off if it tips over.
  • Turn heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Anything that can burn belongs well away from a heater.

When smoke fills the room

Smoke causes most fire deaths, not flames. Move fast and stay low.

  1. Get low. Heat and smoke rise, so the best air is near the floor. Crawl to the exit.
  2. Test doors first. Touch a closed door with the back of your hand. If it is hot, do not open it.
  3. Close doors behind you. It slows the fire down.
  4. Use the stairs, never the lift.
  5. Meet at your agreed spot outside and count everyone.
  6. Clothes on fire? Stop, drop to the ground, cover your face and roll until it is out.

Trapped inside?

Stay in a room with a window and close the door. Block gaps around it with wet towels or cloth. Call the fire service and tell them exactly which room you are in. Wave a bright cloth at the window.

Smoke and heat gather high Cleaner air near the floor
Stay under the smoke and keep moving toward the exit.

Using a fire extinguisher: PASS

Only if the fire is small, your exit is behind you and the extinguisher suits the fire. Stand about 2 metres (6 feet) away.

  1. P

    Pull

    Pull the pin out of the handle.

  2. A

    Aim

    Point the nozzle at the base of the fire, not the flames.

  3. S

    Squeeze

    Squeeze the handle to release the agent.

  4. S

    Sweep

    Sweep from side to side until the fire is out. Watch for re-ignition.

Is your home ready?

Tick what you already do. Fix the rest this week.

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Quick check

Three questions. Tap an answer.

1. Oil in your frying pan is on fire. What do you do first?

2. A power strip is smoking and sparking. What is safest?

3. You feel a bedroom door and it is hot. What now?