For most of us, being in a burning building or trapped by a wildfire are terrifying emergencies we hope never to experience. Still, it’s crucial to know when our natural instincts urge us to do things that could put ourselves and others at risk. Here, we focus on 18 things you should avoid in the event of a fire to minimize your risk of injury or even death.
Hesitate to Evacuate
Every second counts in a fire, so get out as quickly as you can, and don’t be complacent or get distracted. If the fire alarm sounds or you see smoke or flames, warn or wake others while evacuating the building immediately. The Age reports that, in 2003, a 37-year-old Australian woman was found dead in her home next to the overnight bags she’d packed during a wildfire.
Re-enter a Burning Building
While it can be tempting to try to save pets or material possessions still inside, once you’ve safely evacuated, stay out! Re-entering a burning building puts you in extreme danger from flames, toxic smoke inhalation, and collapsing structures. As trained professionals equipped with protective gear and breathing apparatus, firefighters are the only ones who should enter.
Use an Elevator
Elevators often malfunction during a fire and can trap you inside with no way to escape as the shaft quickly fills with smoke. Their movement also acts as a ‘billow,’ circulating air around a building and helping the fire to spread. Always use the stairs during an evacuation and feel the doorknob before opening doors; a hot handle indicates fire on the other side.
Hide
Hiding is a natural response to a physical threat, but it’s a dangerous instinct to follow in a fire. Fire isn’t a human adversary; its flames and toxic smoke will ‘find’ you no matter where you hide. Plus, firefighters won’t be able to rescue you if you’re hidden. Instead, evacuate as quickly and directly as possible. If trapped, signal from a window and plug any door gaps with a wet cloth.
Gather Belongings
In a fire, material possessions are not worth risking your life for. The most precious family heirloom is you, and you won’t be able to benefit from any valuables if you’re dead. So, grab your family and pets and get out immediately. Everything else can be replaced one way or the other—living things are the most precious valuables in your home, so nothing else matters.
Open Windows or Doors
According to Fireline, opening windows and doors can introduce drafts of fresh air, fanning the flames and accelerating the spread of the fire, especially on lower floors. Only open doors if necessary to escape, and close them behind you to help contain the fire and smoke. If you must open a window to escape, break the glass, remove any shards, and climb out carefully.
Panic
While fear is a natural response to fire, panicking can cloud your judgment and stop you from acting in the most sensible and life-saving way. Try to remember any fire safety training or procedures and follow them if possible. Focus on getting yourself and others out safely and try to encourage others to be calm and rational; running around erratically will help no one!
Try to Be a Hero
It may be tempting to try and rescue others by taking risks, but you may make the situation worse for everyone. Unless you’re confident you can quickly and safely help others, leave firefighting to the professionals who are trained and equipped to handle dangerous situations. Don’t attempt to extinguish large flames or enter rooms full of smoke or fire.
Inhale Smoke
While it may be unavoidable to some extent, don’t neglect the seriousness of smoke inhalation or focus exclusively on the flames. A study published by the NIH states that 50% of fire victims have lethal levels of carboxyhemoglobin, 90% have soot in their lungs, and only 30% have burns or other injuries. Stay as low as possible, and cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth.
Crowd Around Exits
During an evacuation, avoid congregating around doorways or exits. Encourage those ahead to exit the building as quickly as possible, but don’t shove or push. This can cause people to fall over and create bottlenecks, slowing down the evacuation process. Move swiftly and orderly toward the designated exits according to your building’s evacuation plan.
Block Evacuation Routes
Hallways and stairwells need to be clear for safe and efficient evacuation during a fire, so don’t block such places with furniture or belongings as you leave, especially if you aren’t sure whether others are still trapped behind you. Imagine trying to escape a fire in low light and finding someone who has thoughtlessly left their bicycle or luggage in the hallway!
Disable Smoke Detectors
Even if the fire is small and you’re sure you can handle it, never disable or tamper with smoke detectors. Even if you do get the fire under control, disabling any early life-saving warning system is foolish. A functioning smoke detector will save your life at a later date, plus the fire may have spread without your notice, or smoke levels may remain dangerously high.
Jump from High Floors
Jumping from a high floor is a very dangerous last resort. It should only be attempted if the threat of fire or smoke inhalation is extreme. If you’re trapped on a higher floor, wait by the window and signal for help from firefighters, who may be able to evacuate you safely. If you’re forced to jump, choose the shortest possible distance and throw bedding or mattresses out first to cushion your landing.
Try to Fight the Fire Yourself
City Fire warns that fighting any dangerous fire yourself is extremely risky. While a small, contained fire might be manageable with an appropriate fire extinguisher, sizable blazes should always be left to trained firefighters. Fire is unpredictable and spreads rapidly, so focus on evacuating yourself and others safely and let the professionals tackle the blaze.
Ignore Fire Alarms
Fire alarms are designed to warn you of danger and ignoring them is dangerously foolhardy. Even if you can see no sign of smoke or fire, exit the building according to the fire evacuation plan and stay outside in a designated fire evacuation point until the fire service arrives. If you believe the alarm was a drill or mistake, wait for official confirmation before returning inside.
Drink Alcohol
Even if you do have time for a quick swig of liquor to calm your nerves or to take a sedative, an emergency is neither the time nor the place for slow reactions or poor decisions. You need to stay alert and focused in order to escape safely, so don’t underestimate the risk. Never indulge in any type of mind-altering chemical if threatened by fire.
Carry Flammable Items
Hopefully, this is obvious, but never evacuate while carrying anything flammable or explosive, like fireworks, lighter fluid, aerosols, paraffin, cleaning supplies, or gas cans. These items can literally become bombs in the presence of extreme heat or flames, so evacuate as quickly as you can without carrying any objects—leave your hands free to escape and help others.
Walk Upright
Smoke inhalation is a leading cause of death in fires, and smoke rises to the highest point, so it is most potent at ceiling height on the top floor of a building. Stay as low to the ground as possible, where the air is clearer. Crawl on your hands and knees to avoid smoke inhalation as much as possible, and never walk upright through a room full of smoke.
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