House on Fire? Here’s the FIRST Thing You Should Do (Most People Don’t)

Fires move faster through homes and fill them with toxic fumes. These fumes actually pose a bigger threat than the flames.

A disaster like this leaves most people shocked and confused. They often end up with just the clothes they’re wearing. The next 24 hours become crucial as you’ll need to contact insurance companies. You’ll also face urgent needs like finding a place to stay and getting medical help for burns or smoke inhalation.

The steps after a fire affects your home can feel overwhelming. We created this complete guide to help you make the right moves during these critical moments. Let’s go through everything you need to know to keep yourself and your family safe when time matters most.

The Critical First 60 Seconds

Time is your most valuable asset when your house catches fire. Fire safety experts warn that a small flame can turn into a major fire in just 30 seconds. Your entire home could be swallowed by flames in five minutes.

Stop and review the fire’s size

Take a quick look at how big the fire is. During a fire, temperatures can hit 100 degrees near the floor and jump to 600 degrees at eye level. Smoke and toxic gasses are actually more dangerous than the flames. These poisonous fumes can make you dizzy and sleepy.

Take a quick look around:

• Spot any visible flames and where they are
• Check how thick the smoke is
• See if the fire stays in one spot or spreads

Keep in mind that the fire’s heat can damage your lungs and melt your clothes right onto your skin. Quick thinking and fast action are vital.

Find out who’s still inside

Once you know the fire’s size, check who’s still in the building. You might only have two minutes to get out, so knowing where everyone is becomes critical.

People over 65 face double the risk of getting hurt or dying in house fires. Check on older family members first.

As you look around:

1. Shout to warn others
2. Wait for anyone to answer
3. Think about which rooms people usually stay in
4. Look for trapped pets

Leave right away and call 911 if you can’t reach someone who needs help. Tell the emergency operator exactly where the trapped person might be. Let firefighters know about any trapped pets as soon as they arrive.

If you can’t escape, here’s what to do right away:

• Shut the door to keep smoke out
• Block vents and door gaps with cloth or tape
• Wave a light-colored cloth or flashlight at windows
• Call 911 and tell them exactly where you are

Closed doors make a big difference in survival chances. Your escape plan must work with firefighters’ efforts. They need to time their water use with proper ventilation to save lives.

Clear communication is key during this time. Your home can be completely on fire within five minutes. What you do in those first 60 seconds often decides if people survive.

Make the Right Call: Fight or Flight

You must make a quick decision after sizing up the situation. The choice between trying to put out the fire or getting out right away could save lives.

At the time to attempt putting out the fire

You should think over fighting the fire only under these conditions:

• The fire stays in one place without spreading
• Flames do not reach above your head
• The room feels just slightly warmer than usual
• A clear escape path exists behind you
• You have the right type of fire extinguisher that matches the burning material

All the same, call 911 first or ask someone else to do it, even if you plan to tackle the fire yourself. Small fires can grow faster and might trap you in a dangerous spot.

At the time to evacuate immediately

Leave without delay if you see these signs:

• The fire involves flammable solvents or covers more than 60 square feet
• Smoke fills the room faster and cuts visibility
• You can’t get closer than 10-15 feet because of the heat
• The fire blocks your way out
• You don’t feel confident about handling the situation

How to alert others faster

After making your choice, warning others becomes your top priority:

1. Set off the building’s fire alarm system right away
2. Call emergency services (911) once you’re outside
3. Make sure everyone starts evacuating
4. Shut doors as you go to slow down the fire

Note that flames can take over an entire home in just five minutes. Getting out right away proves safest in most cases, especially when firefighters can reach you faster.

If you choose to fight the fire, keep a clear escape route until you’re sure the fire is out completely. Watch the area for at least 30 minutes afterward to prevent it from starting again. But if your fire extinguisher runs empty before the flames are out, get out immediately.

Escape Plan Execution

Time is precious during a fire emergency. Studies show you might have less than 2 minutes to escape after the smoke alarm goes off. So, a well-practiced escape plan becomes crucial for survival.

Getting everyone out safely

Alert everyone in the house immediately when fire breaks out. Each family member should have specific duties:

• One person calls emergency services
• Another helps young children or people with mobility issues
• Someone takes care of pet evacuation
• A backup person covers each task if the main person isn’t there

The escape plan should include these essential steps:

• Know two ways to get out of every room
• Make sure escape routes stay clear
• Check that windows open smoothly and aren’t stuck
• Verify quick-release mechanisms on security bars
• Store deadbolt keys near doors

People with mobility issues should have their sleeping quarters on the ground floor. Upper floors need escape ladders that deploy quickly.

Meeting point procedures

Pick a meeting spot outside that meets these criteria:

• Far enough from your house
• Easy to spot from the street
• Best location is the front yard where firefighters arrive first

After reaching the meeting point:

1. Check if everyone made it out
2. Call 911 using a neighbor’s phone or cell phone
3. Stay put for emergency teams
4. Let firefighters know right away if anyone’s missing

Note that these rules save lives:

• Don’t go back into a burning building
• Stay at the meeting spot until firefighters say it’s okay
• Tell firefighters where trapped people might be
• Leave valuables and pets behind – just get out

Statistics show that all but one of four families lack a practiced home fire escape plan. Your family should practice the escape plan twice a year with realistic drills. Without doubt, regular practice helps everyone react faster and safer when real fires happen.

Smart Actions While Evacuating

Your quick thinking and smart actions can make a huge difference in surviving a house fire evacuation. Studies show that the right evacuation methods could mean the difference between life and death.

Closing doors behind you

A closed door acts as a powerful shield against spreading flames. Tests show that rooms with closed doors stay below 100 degrees Fahrenheit while temperatures soar past 1000 degrees in rooms with open doors. The simple act of closing doors during evacuation:

• Cuts off the fire’s oxygen supply
• Reduces toxic smoke levels
• Creates a protective barrier for others still inside

Research shows that closed doors can keep carbon monoxide levels at 1,000 PPM compared to 10,000 PPM in open rooms. You should always close doors behind you, especially when you have apartment buildings where fire containment is vital.

Avoiding elevators

Elevators are never an option during a fire emergency. Here’s why this rule exists:

• Electrical shorts can leave you trapped between floors
• Smoke fills elevator shafts quickly
• Elevator movement spreads fire like a bellows
• Twice as many people die from smoke inhalation in trapped elevators compared to burns

The stairs offer a quicker and safer escape route. Time spent waiting for elevators could cost you precious escape minutes.

Crawling under smoke

Smoke fills rooms from top to bottom during fires. A “safety zone” of breathable air exists about 1-2 feet above the floor. This area contains clearer, cooler air that’s safer to breathe.

Your chances of survival improve if you:

1. Keep low to avoid toxic gasses and superheated air
2. Move through smoke on your hands and knees
3. Direct yourself toward exits while staying close to the floor
4. Test door temperatures with the back of your hand before opening

Research confirms that smoke inhalation causes most residential fire deaths, not flames. Staying low reduces your exposure to toxic smoke and boosts your chances of successful evacuation.

Note that temperatures near the ceiling can reach dangerous levels. Staying low keeps you in cooler, more breathable air. This method, combined with closing doors and using stairs instead of elevators, gives you the best chance to escape safely.

Conclusion

House fires need split-second decisions that directly affect your chances of survival. Families can substantially increase their odds of escaping safely through quick assessment, swift action, and smart evacuation methods.

Here are the key life-saving principles: assess the situation fast, decide immediately whether to fight or flee, follow your well-practiced escape routes, and use smart evacuation techniques like closing doors and crawling under smoke. Your family should practice these procedures regularly before any emergency occurs.

Safety experts agree that preparation can mean the difference between life and death in house fires. Create and practice your family’s escape plan today and make sure everyone understands their roles during an emergency.

Your life matters more than property. Get out fast, stay outside, and let the trained firefighters do their job. Quick thinking and proper execution of these fire safety strategies will help keep your family alive.

FAQs