Safe Escape from Your Home in an Emergency – Escaping a Fire
The 2020 California wildfire season was the most devastating one in the
Sunshine State’s history with nearly 10,000 fires burning 4.2 million acres of land to the crisp. However, wildfires aren’t the only cause of residential fires in Orange County. Every year, there are hundreds of residential fires caused by electrical problems, cooking, smoking, candles, barbeques, and even arson, etc.
House fires are potentially life-threatening events, so it’s important for every household to not only be aware of fire prevention and safety measures but also know how to escape a house fire. Having an escape plan in the event of a fire can save your life as well as the lives of your loved ones.
In this post, we’ll talk about some proactive measures you and your family can take to prepare for a fire escape, and offer expert advice on how to safely escape a burning building.
Proactive Measures to Prepare for a Fire Escape
1. Creating a Fire Escape Plan
Escaping a house fire might sound pretty straightforward – Find an exit, and get out. However, with blazing temperatures, limited visibility, smoke, and panic, it’s not as easy as it sounds. However, proactively preparing for the worst by formulating an escape plan can not only help you identify all the exit points but also guide everyone safely to open-air space away from the fire. Here are some important things you should consider during the planning:
- Make sure that all exit routes lead to an open area so that everyone can escape. If the exits need to be forcefully opened in the event of a fire, make sure you have a toolset or ax close to them to break out.
- Secondly, you must ensure that your kids or parents know how to unlock all the windows, doors, and gates. We advise regularly inspecting your exit points for any potential obstacles that may prevent anyone from safely escaping.
- Running a mock fire drill with your family might sound weird, but if you reside in Orange County, it’s considered a commendable initiative.
- Moreover, you must devise a plan according to the ability of your household members. For example, if your kid or spouse wears glasses, they’ll need them to find their way out, especially at night. Similarly, if your parents are handicapped, you’ll need a wheelchair or other means of mobility assistance to safely get them out. Make sure that these items are strategically placed closed to the exit points at all times so you don’t waste any time or lose them in the fire.
2. Invest in Fire Safety Equipment
Simply put, your fire safety equipment could potentially be the difference between life and death, depending on the severity of the house fire. In the modern era, you must have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, especially in your kitchen. Moreover, you must ensure that everyone knows how to use a fire extinguisher in an emergency. Other essential fire safety equipment includes:
- Signage
- Sprinklers
- Ax
- First Aid Kits
- Fire Hose
- Blankets
These devices can come in even handier in situations where there’s no safe exit. In this scenario, you and your family might have to stay put and prevent the fire from entering the room. The blanket can also be used to barricade the doors to stop smoke from entering. The first aid kit could be used to treat burns while waiting for the firefighters.
Useful Tips for Safely Escaping Your Home in a Fire Emergency
1. Stay as Low as Possible
Most people aren’t aware of this but smoke naturally rises due to lower density than air. So, it’s recommended you stay low to the ground while making your way to the exit to minimize the risk of inhaling dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide and other gases.
2. Cover Your Body
In the event of a fire, you should try to quickly cover your arms, legs, and face as much as possible to prevent burning. Covering your nose with a towel or damp cloth can help you avoid inhaling smoke.
3. Don’t Worry About Your Valuables
There’s nothing more valuable in this situation than your life and the lives of your loved ones. No matter how valuable your belongings are, you should leave them behind and focus on escaping. Fire can spread quickly, and if it meets the gas supply, it can cause an explosion.
4. Be Careful Opening Doors
No matter how rough the situation is, focus on the little things. For instance, if you see smoke coming through the door, that’s a sign to keep it closed and find another way. Your door could be the barrier between you and the fire.
5. Always Carry a Key
Modern homes are often equipped with electronic locks with a key as an alternate means of locking and unlocking. You don’t want to be locked inside if a power outage occurs. Even if you don’t have a smart lock, always keep a key close to you in case of a fire.
24/7 Fire Restoration Services from 911 Restoration in Orange County
At 911 Restoration in Orange County, we understand that the mere thought of a house fire must be terrifying. However, we feel that, as Fire Damage Restoration Experts, it is our duty to educate the public on how to escape a house fire. With residential fires becoming more common in California, it’s time that residents refresh their fire safety knowledge and create a standby escape plan to protect themselves and their families.
And if you need more information about fire restoration services, feel free to contact our 24/7 support team anytime.
