Five Things You Shouldn’t Do in the Event of a Fire

When a fire starts often all rationality goes out of the window and your only thought is to escape as quickly as possible. However, it’s important to stay calm and make sensible decisions so you can remain as safe as possible until emergency help arrives - that’s why it’s essential to have a good evacuation plan in place.

To avoid unnecessary injury and stress, here are five things that you should never do in the event of a fire.

1. Do not use the lift

The last thing you should do is head towards the lift as a quick escape route. When a fire alarm is raised, many lifts will malfunction or disable themselves and if this happens while you’re inside you may not be able to get out! Always take the stairs or follow your evacuation plan.

2. Do not run

Of course, you’ll want to get out of the burning building fast but running can result in avoidable injuries. When you’re in a rush there’s a chance that you could trip over items and hurt yourself, therefore, preventing you from exiting the building safely.

3. Do not throw water

Your first reaction might be to throw water over a fire, however, if you are not trained in how to handle a fire, water is not always the best liquid to use. In fact, some fires can be exaggerated by the use of water so be careful.

4. Do not break windows

Did you know that smoke inhalation accounts for more fire-related deaths than the heat itself? Breaking open windows allows the fire to gain more access to oxygen which helps the fire grow, which would greatly decrease your chances of escape. By keeping the windows closed you are starving the fire as much as possible.

5. Go back for your belongings

As soon as you are told to evacuate the building you should do so. Going back for your belongings is not a sensible move as every minute counts when it comes to getting to a safe place.

At Thameside Fire Protection, we offer a range of fire safety products and installations that will keep your business protected. Never try to scrimp and save when it comes to fire safety, with good-quality equipment, assessments and expert advice, you’ll be prepared for any emergency situation. For more information about our Essex-based services get in touch with us today.