Another common cause of death is severe burns or serious infections. In severe cases, victims may die instantly from burns at the scene. Therefore, knowing the correct way to survive a fire is crucial for everyone. This will help you react and survive safely, or minimize injury and damage.
How to Survive a Fire:
1. If your home has a fire alarm, press or pull it to warn others. Then, quickly evacuate the scene and seek help from the fire department (call 199). Once outside, try to find water to drink to prevent dehydration.
2. Remove all jewelry, such as watches, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc., as these tend to retain heat and can cause blisters.
3. If you are still trapped in the fire, try to cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth to prevent inhaling smoke and hazardous substances. Alternatively, use a large plastic bag to fill it with clean air to reduce smoke inhalation. If possible, use a large wet blanket or towel to cover yourself to protect your skin from the fire.
4. While moving towards an exit… 5. Crawl low or crouch as much as possible instead of walking, as oxygen is found at lower elevations.
6. Use fire escape stairs as your escape route. Never use the elevator, as it may become stuck, leading to suffocation. Run down the fire escape stairs to the ground floor, as fire naturally spreads from bottom to top. However, if the flames prevent you from going down, proceed to the rooftop.
7. Avoid running into confined spaces such as basements, wall crevices, and bathrooms, as these increase the risk of burns.
8. If you are inside a room during the incident, touch the doorknob or door frame with the back of your hand before opening a door. If it feels very hot, do not open the door, as there may be fire behind it. Use a wet cloth to seal the door frame to prevent smoke from entering the room. Turn off fans and air conditioners, and call for help through a window or balcony, while simultaneously contacting authorities or people nearby to report your location.
