You may have to get out in the dark during difficult conditions if a fire occurs in your home. Escaping from a fire wall be a lot easier if you have already planned your escape route and know where to go.  Everyone in the house should be made aware of the escape route.  Make sure that your planned escape route remains free of any obstructions and that there are no loose floor coverings that could trip you. 

Plan two ways out of every room, especially bedrooms.  Make sure you can unlock all locks and open all windows and door quickly, even in the dark.  Make special arrangements for people with disabilities.  If you have serious mobility, you may wish to consider having your bedrooms on the ground floor, if this is practical, and as near as possible to an exit.

              Fire at home

What to do if a fire starts

In our home we all try to prevent fire.  But it only takes a careless moment for a fire to start. Your home could be filled with smoke a couple of minutes later.  Fumes and smoke can kill-particularly the highly poisonous smoke from some furnishings.  To get out you will only have a short time.  Use it wisely and try not to panic.  According to a fire officer if a fire starts:

• Close the door of the room where the fire is and close all doors behind you as you leave if possible.  This will help delay the spread of smoke and fire.
• Use the back of your hand to touch it before opening a closed door.  If it feels warm, don't open it- since fire will be on the other side.
• If the smoke is thick, drop to the floor and crawl around safety.  To cover your and nose use wet towel.
• Get everyone out as quickly as possible.  Don't waste precious time saving possessions and valuables.  Try not to panic and make your way out as safely as you can, It will help if you planned your escape route rather than waiting until there is a fire.
• Never go back into the house until a fire officer has told you it is safe to do so.

Fire Safety Information

1. Try to remain calm.
2. Try to make your way to the window.
3. If you are unable to use the door because of flames or smoke, close the door and use towels or sheets to block any gaps,  This will help stop smoke spreading in the room.
4. Crawl along the floor if the room becomes smoky.  Heat and smoke rise so that air by the floor is the coolest and clearest.  If you encounter smoke or fumes while evacuating, stay close to the floor.  Get down on your hands and knees and crawl to the nearest safe exit.
5. If you are in immediate danger and your room is not too high from the ground, drop cushions or bedding to the ground below to break your fall from the window,  If you can, get out feet first and lower yourself to the full length of you arms before dropping.
6. If you are trapped.  Close doors between you and fire.  Use blankets or towels to cover vents and cracks between floors and doors.  Wait at a window and signal for help by using a flashlight or by waving a bright colored sheet or cloth.  Use telephone or cell phone to call for help.
7. Attract attention of neighbors who can alert the brigade.  Wait for the fire brigade to arrive. 
8. If your clothes catch fire.  If your clothing catches fire:  Stop where you are, drop to the ground, an roll back and forth to put the fire out.  Immediately cool a burn with cool running water under a tap for five to ten minutes.