Tips to Survive a House Fire

4/23/2020 (Permalink)

Be prepared.

Residential fires are the worst because they affect the whole family. A house fire breaks out every eighty-six seconds, and seconds are all the occupants have to escape a growing fire. The Underwriters Laboratories, which conducts state-of-the-art fire safety testing, says three minutes or less is the time window to escape a house fire.

The National Fire Protection Association noted that in 2018, there were 363,000 house fires. That same year saw 3,655 fatalities resulting from all structural fires. Of these 3,655 fire fatalities, 2,720 or 74% of all fire deaths occurred in the home.

Fire safety statistics show that “Every day, at least one child dies from a home fire and another 293 children are injured from fires or burns. Ninety percent of all fire-related deaths are due to home fires. Home fires can spread rapidly and leave families as little as two minutes to escape after an alarm sounds. Children under 5 years of age are at the greatest risk from home fire death and injury; their death rate is nearly twice the national average. Each year, nearly 488 children ages 14 and under die in home fires, and another 116,600 children are injured from a fire/burn related incident.”

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports, “About 40,000 pets die in residential fires each year, most from smoke inhalation, and 500,000 pets are affected overall.” Pet owners should also be aware that pets cause about 1,000 house fires a year.

Plan to Protect Loved Ones

Having a Fire Escape Plan is a necessity for everyone who lives in a house or an apartment, especially if children or older adults are present. According to the American Red Cross, only 26% of Americans have a fire escape plan, and young children and older adults are twice as likely to perish in a house fire as the general population.

Ten Tips to Survive a House Fire

1. Create a Fire Escape Plan

Write down a formal escape plan. Clearly describe evacuation routes, exits, and the meetup location. Designate a fire escape leader. Give instructions on contacting the authorities for help. The National Fire Protection Association offers free resources to help create a detailed fire escape plan.

2. Place Rope Ladders on the Upper Floors

If the home has upper floors or high windows, locate fire escape ladders at each window or upper-level deck. It is not necessary to have ladders dangling from each floor, but the durable, high-quality ladders should be ready to deploy if the downstairs is impassable.

3. Invest in Several Fire Extinguishers

Purchase multiple fire extinguishers and locate them around the home in the major rooms. These rooms include the master bedroom, the kitchen, the living room, and the bathrooms. A fire extinguisher can put out a small fire before it grows out of control. It can also clear a pathway through existing flames, enabling an escape.

4. Install and Test Smoke Alarms

Most homes already have smoke alarms. If smoke alarms are needed, install them immediately at every level and in each of the major rooms of the house. Test them monthly. Repair or replace defective units. The risk of dying in reported house fires is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.

5. Test Doors for Heat Before Opening

A well-known tip for surviving a house fire is to check a door for heat before opening it. Is there any smoke filtering through the cracks between the door and the wall or floor? If not, still do not open the door. Next, feel the door for heat. If the door is warm or hot, do not open it. If the door is neither hot nor warm, cautiously open the door slightly and look for any signs of fire. If there are no signs of fire, it should be safe to exit through the door.

6. Stay Low to the Ground

Stay low to the floor because the fresher air is near the floor. Hot air rises. The density of the smoke may require getting on hands and knees or even crawling out on one’s stomach. If the smoke is thick and low-hanging, exit as quickly as possible without being overcome by the fumes.

7. Cover the Mouth and Nose with a Wet Rag or Shirt

In a house fire, smoke often presents the greatest danger. Many people having been overcome by the smoke have passed out and then been overcome by the flames. Cover the mouth and nose with a rag, towel, or piece of clothing. If the situation permits, soak the makeshift mask thoroughly. Staying low to the floor is effective, but the wet rag to the mouth and nose is better.

8. Do Not Re-Enter the Home After Escaping

Once everyone has safely left the burning home, stay outside. Nothing is more valuable than a life. If someone is still in the house, leave it to the professional fire crew to handle the situation. Inform the fire crew of the missing person and hope and pray for the best.

9. Place Emergency Kits Near the Exits

Make several kits with some extra clothing, cash, first aid supplies, important names and telephone numbers, or even a thumb drive loaded with essential files. If possible, store a kit in a place on the property but away from the residence. First responders will arrive and assess injuries, burns, or complications from smoke inhalation. Until they do arrive, the leader should check everyone for injuries, burns, and shock.

As an aside, taking a first aid course as a family would be an excellent activity that would not only enrich time together as a family but could also save lives.

10. Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice drills that simulate a house fire or other emergency calling for swift evacuation are the best preparation. Thorough training and muscle memory will help overcome the most paralyzing fear. In a situation where seconds count, fear can lead to tragic consequences.

Conclusion

Surviving a house fire requires planning, training, and trust. If a house fire occurs, call the industry leaders in fire and water damage restoration. The team of highly trained professionals at SERVPRO of Carrollton is on call 24/7. They are fast to the scene. When a home or business is dealing with the aftermath of a fire, the damage and disruption can be devastating. At SERVPRO of Bent Tree, the team understands the stress, confusion, and emotions that accompany such an ordeal. The technicians are highly skilled and certified, as well as equipped with fire damage restoration equipment to take special care of the property and possessions. SERVPRO of Bent Tree walks with clients every step along the way to explain the process to help get through this stressful time.

For more information about fire damage restoration, contact SERVPRO of Carrollton by phone at (972) 386-3808 or email office@SERVPRO10952.com.