What to do if you’re in a burning building
A house or apartment fire is exceedingly dangerous, perhaps more so because the people who find themselves trapped by the fire have never been through any similar situation before. They have no experience and need to react properly the first time to get out and stay safe.
Understanding, in advance, what to do if you're ever caught inside a building that's on fire can save your life.
The main things you need to remember in a building fire:
While every situation is different, there are a few responses that hold true for every building fire. If you're inside when the smoke alarm goes off, you smell smoke or see flames:
- Attempt to stay calm and think clearly. Every second matters, and panicking does not help.
- Though you’re calm, you still need to act immediately to reach safety. Do not delay yourself by stopping to grab personal items or anything of that nature.
- Crawl on the floor when moving toward the exit. The smoke rises toward the ceiling, so the cleanest, coolest air is right along the floor. If you wake up and there’s a fire, you may even want to roll from the bed to the floor.
- Don’t do anything but escape. Don’t get dressed. Don’t call anyone. Just move.
- Never try to put out the fire. Allow the fire department to do that with their training and equipment. This is not something you can solve on your own. Just focus on getting out.
- If there are others in the building, call them to get their attention and tell them to follow you outside.
- Be very careful around doors. Opening a door can cause air and oxygen to move, which can make the fire explosive.
Once you get outside and you know you’re safe, then you can call the fire department and report it. If you’re in a populated area, odds are someone else already did.
If you were injured in a building fire, take action
Burn injuries and smoke inhalation can be catastrophic and life-altering, even when you escape the fire. At Wyatt Law Firm, we have the experience needed to help you seek the maximum level of compensation that you deserve. Call us today to learn more.