Does everyone in your home know what to do if there's a fire?
Planning your escape route
If there's a fire in your home, you need to tell everyone to get straight out, call 999 and make sure no-one goes back in.
Everyone needs to know what to do and you should have an escape plan that the entire household has practiced to help get everyone out safely when there is an emergency.
- The best escape route is your normal way in and out of your home.
- Think of any difficulties you may have getting out, for example in the middle of the night.
- Choose a second escape route in case the first one is blocked.
- Keep both escape routes clear of things that might get in the way.
- You may be able to escape out of the window if you're on the ground floor.
- If you're on the first floor you should only do this as a last resort when you are in immediate danger.
- You should cushion your fall with bedding or cushions and lower yourself before dropping.
Make an escape plan
- Include everyone who lives in your home, especially children, the elderly and lodgers.
- Talk through your plan together, including what to do and what not to do in a fire.
- Tell everyone where the keys are for the doors and windows.
- Plan the order you'd escape in, so that if you have have to go out of a window you can help others down.
- Practise the plan and remind everyone regularly of what to do and what not to do in a fire.
- Put your address by the phone so children can read it out to the emergency services if necessary.
- Put a reminder of what to do in a fire somewhere prominent, like on the door of the fridge.
What if you can't escape?
- If you can't escape, you need to find one room for everyone to take refuge in.
- It's best if the room you retreat to has a window and a phone.
- Shut the door and block the bottom of it to prevent smoke getting in.
- If moving or trapped in smoke, stay close to the floor where the air is cleaner
- If a door feels hot, do not open it, as it probably means there is a fire on the other side
- Open the window and call for help.
- Stay by the window and lean out of the window to breathe if you need to.
What if you live in a flat?
High rise flats are built to be fireproof. Walls ceilings and doors will hold back flames and smoke. If there's a fire elsewhere in the building you're usually safer staying in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you.
- Make sure everyone in your home knows about the fire and alert neighbouring flats by banging on the doors on your way out.
- Set off the fire alarm if there is one.
- If there's a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor where the air will be cleaner.
- Get everyone out and don't delay for valuables.
- Don't investigate the fire.
- Before you open doors check them with the back of your hand. If they're warm don't open them as the fire is on the other side.
- Don't use the lift. Go down the stairs.
Remember - never re-enter your home until the Fire and Rescue Service has made it safe.
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