Do you know what steps you would take if someone you knew were the cause of a fire? Or a stranger? Do you know what quick steps you could make to save someone’s life or your own?
A top goal of ours is to promote residential and commercial fire safety along with fire prevention, but fires occur nonetheless. You may know all of the steps on how to prevent a commercial fire and protect your business. You may regularly check your smoke and carbon monoxide detector and may clean the dust in your home. You could even be cautious about how you cook your food to prevent grease fires. However, do you know what steps you would take if someone you knew were the cause of a fire? Or a stranger? Do you know what quick steps you could make to save someone’s life or your own? Keep reading for five steps that you should take to protect someone or yourself in a burning building.
1)Immediately call 911.
Cellphones are great and convenient because they travel with us. In the case of a commercial fire happening, you could quickly pull out your phone to dial 911. While you may feel inclined to be a hero, the fire department knows best and are well-trained. Call out to the victims trapped in the burning building. Don’t prolong this process.
2) Make Sure Your Body is Close to the Ground
Did you know that surviving third-degree burn is possible, but smoke often kills people? You don’t want the smoke to filter through your lungs. If possible, find a damp cloth to cover your mouth and nose so that breathing won’t be difficult.
3) Use The Back of Your Hand to Touch Doors
The palm of a hand is susceptible to burning. If you can feel the heat emitting from a door, then don’t open it. Try to find another way to get out of the building. In the case of a commercial fire, most buildings have an emergency fire escape route showcased. If you can open a door safely, don’t close it. Firefighters need to be able to maneuver through the building.
4) Exit the Building Quickly
If a building is burning, you need to exit as soon as possible. Take the stairs and not the elevator. Don’t go up the stairs for any reason whatsoever. If you can see anyone in your path, grab them, but don’t spend time moving away from the building’s exit.
5) Use Logic
If you believe that you can safely look for a person without losing your life, do so. Once you have grabbed the person, move as fast as you can and leave the building. A golden rule of thumb is never to reenter a burning building.
Commercial and Residential Fire Prevention from Judd Fire Protection
If you want to ensure your home and business are safe throughout the year, trust Judd Fire Protection, LLC. We have over two decades of experience in designing, installing, inspecting, and repairing residential and commercial fire protection systems. We serve clients throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. If you are interested in finding out more about our services and protecting your home and business, give us a call at 410-871-3480 or contact us online. For more fire safety tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.