In an emergency fire situation, your first priority is you and your family’s safety. Don’t try to fight a large fire or stop to gather belongings – get out immediately. Evacuate the building by the nearest exit, alerting others along the way. Once you’re safely outside, call 911 (or your local emergency number) right away. According to the American Red Cross, the rule is simple: “get out, stay out and call 911.” After you’re outside, never go back inside for any reason.
Quick Steps During a Fire
- Stay calm and warn others. Try not to panic. Shout “Fire!” and pull the nearest fire alarm as you leave to alert everyone. This quick warning can save lives by getting people moving.
- Evacuate immediately – no belongings. Leave right away using the quickest safe route. Do not waste time grabbing coats, bags, or valuables – your life is more important. Moving fast without extra weight gives you the best chance to escape.
- Use the stairs, not elevators. Always head for a stairwell or fire escape. Elevators can fail or fill with smoke in a fire. Follow exit signs and instructions.
- Stay low under the smoke. Hot toxic gases and smoke rise, so crouch or crawl near the floor where the air is cleaner. If needed, hold a cloth (preferably damp) over your nose and mouth to help filter out smoke.
- Close doors behind you. As you leave each room, shut the door. This can slow the spread of flames and smoke, giving you and others more time to exit safely.
- Once outside, call for help. Immediately call 911 from a safe location and give your address and details of the fire. Stay outside and wait for firefighters to arrive. Never go back in – let the professionals handle the blaze.
Always evacuate via stairwells or fire escapes. In a fire, use the stairs – never the elevator.
If You Cannot Escape
Sometimes fire or smoke may block exits. If you cannot safely exit the building, do the following until help arrives:
- Stay in a safe room. Pick a room with a window and close the door to block smoke. Use blankets or towels to seal the crack under the door to keep smoke out.
- Call 911 again. From your cell phone or a phone in the room, call emergency services and tell them exactly where you are (room number, floor, etc.). That way firefighters know where to look for you.
- Use the window for air and light. If possible, open a window (top and bottom vents) for fresh air, but be ready to close it if smoke billows in from outside.
- Signal rescuers. Wave a light-colored cloth or flashlight from the window to let firefighters see you. You can also shout or bang on walls periodically. Rescue crews look for visual cues like these to find trapped people quickly.
Prepare and Practice Ahead of Time
The best way to handle a fire is to be prepared before it happens. Install working smoke alarms on every level and test them monthly. Draw and practice an escape plan with your family so everyone knows two ways out of each room. Having a clear plan means you won’t have to think hard during a real fire – you’ll already know what to do.
Above all, remember: in a fire your goal is to get out as quickly and safely as possible. Focus on evacuating, alerting others, and calling 911. These actions give you the best chance to stay safe and help firefighters arrive in time to handle the emergency.
