<\/ol>\n\n\n\nFire Escape Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nNow that we have installed the necessary tools to keep us safe in case of a fire. Let us look into how you can make a solid fire escape plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nMap out all possible exits<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nIdentify all possible escape routes for each room and ensure that each member is familiar with at least two escape routes. Keep the routes clear of any obstructions, and maybe mark out the paths with glow-in-the-dark tapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nBasic fire safety<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nTeach your loved ones how to proceed in case of a fire. Heads low, covering mouths and noses, and shielding themselves with a fire blanket.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nDesignated meeting point<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nEstablish a meeting point, like a neighbor\u2019s porch or the mailbox. The location should be ideally far from the house so that it is safe, but close enough so that everyone can reach there quickly and without any confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nCheck the safety equipment<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nEnsure that the smoke alarms and other fire safety equipment are working once a month. Also, have your household familiarize themselves with the smoke alarm sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nMemorize the emergency phone number of the Fire Department<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nAll household members should memorize the emergency phone number of the local Fire Department or emergency services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nOnce you\u2019re out, stay out<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nIf you managed to get out of your house in an emergency, but realize that someone is missing, inform the emergency respondents. DO NOT GO BACK INTO A BURNING BUILDING.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nFamiliarize The Escape Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAs the adage goes, \u201cPractice makes perfect\u201d, try to have mock drills with your family. Keep them as realistic as possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have children, tell them beforehand that there will be a drill, as the goal is not to frighten them but to practice. See if your children wake up to the sound of the smoke alarms, if not, designate someone to wake them up. If there\u2019s a member with a disability, make the necessary arrangements.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to survive in a fire?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBut what if you find yourself in a burning building? What should you do to survive and get to safety?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat to do if you\u2019re trapped?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nIf you find yourself trapped in a room in a burning building, do not open any door without feeling it first. Check if the door is too hot with the back of your hand so as to not burn your palm. If that door is compromised, try to find another exit. If everything fails, seal the space around the door and vents with any available materials, preferably wet clothes or fire retardants, to prevent the entry of smoke and fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if the door doesn\u2019t feel too hot, open slowly with caution, standing low to one side of the door as fumes and smoke may still enter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try to find a phone and contact the emergency services immediately and give them your exact location. If you can\u2019t find a phone, shout as loud as you can. Flash a torch out of the window or signal using bright-colored clothes to give your location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try to ventilate your room, by opening windows. If you can\u2019t open them, do not try to break the windows (unless absolutely necessary), especially on the higher floors, as this might cause a rain of broken glass on emergency respondents and others evacuating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nHow to evacuate<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nIf you are the last one to evacuate, do not lock the doors behind you, rather just close them, as locking would impede the emergency respondents\u2019 search and rescue. If your house or building has a designated emergency exit, proceed towards it, if not find the exit as given in the building\u2019s emergency plan.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most multistory buildings have an emergency stairwell that provide you a safe exit from the building. Try not to panic and only descend towards your designated emergency rendezvous.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The elevator is a no-go. Stay low and crawl if necessary to avoid smoke and toxic fumes. If available, use a mask or damp cloth to cover your mouth and nose, breathe shallowly through it. Hold your breath as much as possible and move swiftly.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat if someone catches fire<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nIf you find yourself on fire, following these 3 steps can help save your life and reduce injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
STOP<\/strong> – moving<\/p>\n\n\n\nDROP<\/strong> – down to the floor<\/p>\n\n\n\nROLL<\/strong> – around the floor<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you can access a fire blanket or a rug, cover yourself or the person on fire to smother the flames. Do not fan the flames as this will only make things worse. If a fire extinguisher is available, use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nWhen not to fight a fire<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nLeave the fire fighting to the professionals and try to evacuate the building immediately without panicking. But in case you absolutely have no choice but to fire fight, then do it with caution. Make sure that your back is facing a safe exit route.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nUsing extinguishers<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nWhile clearing your path out of the building or helping someone on fire, a fire extinguisher can come in handy. Remember to PASS<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nP<\/strong> – Pull the pin<\/p>\n\n\n\nA<\/strong> – Aim at the base of the fire<\/p>\n\n\n\nS<\/strong> – Squeeze the handle<\/p>\n\n\n\nS<\/strong> – Sweep from side to side til you extinguish the fire<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nFinal Thoughts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile it is great to be prepared for an emergency scenario, it is more desirable to prevent it from happening in the first place. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are on average about 358,000 household fires, responsible for nearly 7 deaths a day. Minimizing the risk of fires while equipping yourself with the best safety tools and emergency equipment is the way to go.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The control and use of fire was an epoch-making event in human history. Controlled use of fire has kept us warm during long winters, helped us cook food, and kept us safe from many a beast. However, the catch is, \u201ccontrolled use\u201d, failing which fire can wreak havoc, turning entire buildings, homes, and entire landscapesRead more…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/isopllc.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4795"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/isopllc.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/isopllc.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/isopllc.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/isopllc.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4795"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/isopllc.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4795\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/isopllc.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/isopllc.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/isopllc.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}