Don't panic, as an objective assessment of the situation and the right course of action will increase your chances of escape. If you wake up and find that there is a fire, roll over the side of the bed and crawl towards the door. By keeping closer to the floor you may be able to escape. Crawl towards the door of the room. Try to feel the door with your hand. Do not try to pick up any clothes or valuables.
If you can get out of the room
If you feel the door is not hot when you feel it, open it a little and check for smoke and fire outside. When you leave the room, close the door, this will reduce the spread of fire and protect your property. Don't forget to take your keys. If all escape routes are closed and you cannot leave the building, you will need a key to return to your apartment, which will become your safest place of refuge.
- Don't try to find where it burns. The valuable time you lose could be crucial to your escape.
- Don't linger in stairwells and corridors wondering what to do. Leave the house as soon as possible. You need to know which corridors in the house lead to dead ends, try to avoid them.
- Always use only the stairs. Never use the lift.
- Expect panic all around. So hold on to the handrail of the staircase, this will help you to hold on if there is a rush in the stairwell.
- Don't try to meet everyone inside before you leave the building, as every minute is precious.
- When you are safe, call the National Fire and Rescue Service. Do not take it for granted that a neighbour will have already done it. Do not hang up the receiver until the dispatchers have received all the information they need.
- Do not go back into the house until the firefighters have given permission.
If you can't get out of the room:
- If you feel the door is hot when you feel it, do not open it. This may mean that there is a fire outside the door. If you open the door, flames will immediately enter the room. A closed door can act as a screen from the fire and protect you until rescuers arrive.
- If the door is hot, plug the gaps. Damp towels, blankets will work best for this. Sheets, clothes are also useful.
- If you have a telephone and the room you are in is smoke-free, call the emergency number 112.
- Crawl to a window and open it a little. If you open the window all the way, you will create a draught which will encourage smoke to enter the room.
- Keep low to the window, this will allow you to breathe fresh air from outside and avoid smoke slowly filling the room.
- If possible, cover your nose and mouth with some wet material, this will filter the smoke and make it easier to breathe.
- Only if absolutely necessary, open the window completely or break the glass. In this case, smoke can also enter the room from outside the house. In addition, the glass will be broken and you will no longer be able to close the window.
- If you are on the ground floor and can get out safely, do so.
- If you are above the ground floor, it is better to refrain from jumping. Many people who could have survived the fire by waiting for help in their room have died by jumping from dangerous heights.
How to pay attention if you can't get out of the room:
- Make noise to let others know where you are. This is best done by knocking with an object rather than shouting.
- Waving a towel or sheet through a window will draw attention to your location.