What to do during a fire
Updated December 23, 2009
Temperatures can reach well over 1000 degrees in a house fire. However, most fire-related deaths are a result of the deadly smoke and gases that precede these fatally hot temperatures.
- Drop to the floor and stay low to the ground to get available fresh air. Crawl your way to a safe location.
- Check closed doors for heat. Use the backside of your hand first. If the door is hot, do not open it. Instead, find another exit, such as a window.
- If you become trapped in a room, the following steps are recommended:
- Keep the door closed - opening the door will decrease your chance of survival
- Stay low to the ground
- Wait by the window, and identify your distress
- Don't hide under beds or in closets
- Seal the bottom of the door with blankets or clothing to keep smoke out
- If your clothes catch on fire, STOP, DROP and ROLL, keeping your face covered with your hands whenever possible.