Fires may occur anywhere, at any time and cause tragic consequences, especially when the fire occurs in the tall residential buildings.
The fire at the karaoke bar, 68 Tran Thai Tong (Cau Giay district, Hanoi), left 13 people dead; fire at 91 Phan Boi Chau Street, Ward 7, Ca Mau City killed 6 people and other incidents related to fire have caused great damages, either lives or properties.
In addition to preventive activities, it is important to know basic skills to escape and survive when a fire breaks out.
Prepare escape plan and practice it daily.
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Prepare for the worst by developing a fire escape plan and making sure everyone in your household knows what to do in case of a fire. Your plan should identify all available exits from each room and routes that lead from the room to a safe, open-air space. Designate a meeting space away from your house, such as a neighbor’s yard or a mailbox across the street.
It’s important that your exit routes do not lead to a closed-in area that would prevent escape away from your home, like a gated courtyard. It’s best that any gates or fences can be easily unlocked or unlatched from inside.
Make sure everyone in your household knows how to unlock or unlatch any doors, windows, gates, or fences. Routinely inspect any and all of these potential obstacles to be sure they will actually provide a means of escape in the event of a fire.
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Stay low and crawl to an exit to avoid smoke inhalation.
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Stay as low to the ground as possible while you swiftly make your way to the nearest exit, especially if there is smoke in the area you’re located. Smoke inhalation can cause you to lose consciousness, and the freshest air will be closest to the ground since smoke and toxic chemicals rise. In addition, staying low below smoke will increase your ability to clearly see your escape path.
Do not use the elevator.
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In case of fire, always use the stairs to get out, never the elevator. Make sure to practice using the stairs as part of your escape plan. If someone in your family has difficulty climbing down steps, make sure to incorporate a contingency for this into your plan.
Seal yourself in for safety.
If you can't exit an apartment building due to smoke or fire in the hallway, call the fire department to report your exact location and gather in a room with a window to await their arrival. Close all doors between you and the fire. Use duct tape or towels to create a seal around the door and over air vents in order to keep smoke from coming in.
Stay by the window.
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If possible, you should open your windows at the top and the bottom so fresh air can get in. Don't break the window - if smoke enters the room from outside the building, you won't be able to protect yourself.
Above are several basic ways to respond when a fire happens.
Compiled by reporter.
