Too Hot to Handle: What to Do in Case of Fire

At schools, we have all been taught on how to handle emergency situations such as fire. The question is, do you remember what you learned? In serious cases such as this, being too cautious is never too much.

What do you do in case of fire? Here are the most important things to consider:

1. Alert the people inside the place. Use the fire alarm or, if it's not available, make noise. Shout, bang the door, or make a racket to inform other people what's happening.

2. Call the fire department. Be calm in speaking with the operator and tell him where the exact location of the fire. Being hysterical will be a waste of time. Remember, in fire situations, every second counts so do not waste time.

3. Get out of the place in a safe and orderly manner. When you're at the door, do not open it right away. Touch the doorknob first and feel its temperature. If it's hot, don't open yet - it means there's a fire on the other side. Find another exit.

4. Avoid being suffocated by the smoke. While getting out safely is of prime importance, you have to be careful not to be asphyxiated by the smoke. If possible, get a wet cloth and tie over your nose and mouth. Crawl, don't walk. Air on the floor is purer.

5. Advise other people not to panic. Though easier said than done, being calm during a fire is worth it. Panicking clouds your presence of mind and will lead to more problems such as unconsciously hurting yourself and other people.

6. You should, of course, try your hardest not to have close contact with fire. However, if your clothes do catch fire, don't run. Drop to the ground as fast as you can and roll over while putting out the flames with your hands. If a blanket or rug is available, wrap it all over you and roll over the ground.