Fighting fires in the home
Find out what to do if a fire breaks out in your home.
Get help
Firstly, get everyone out of the venue and call emergency services on
021 480 7700. Use the available emergency exits or stairways and try to move away from the fire.
Remember
Do not, ever, use lifts or elevators to escape a fire.
Fight a fire
If you find yourself in a position where you cannot call emergency services and have to fight the fire yourself, it’s important that you know what to do.
Know your elements
- Water – Use water for wood, paper and fabric fires. Do not use water to put out an oil fire
- Sand – Use sand for paraffin fires
- Gas – Turn off the gas supply and use a lid or wet cloth to put out the flames
- Electricity – Turn off the electricity before you put out an electric fire
Never stop to fight a fire if:
- the fire is spreading beyond where it started;
- you can't fight the fire with your back to an escape exit;
- the fire is blocking your only escape;
- you don't have adequate fire-fighting equipment; and
- your path of escape is threatened. Rather evacuate while you still can!
Equipment
If you have professional fire-fighting equipment, make sure it is clean and in working order (check with the manufacturer's instructions to see how often this needs to be done).
Here are the most effective types of fire-fighting equipment:
- Water extinguishers
- Dry powder extinguishers
- Carbon-dioxide extinguishers
- Foam extinguishers
- Fire hose reels with high-pressure water
- Fire hydrants
If someone’s clothing is on fire
Start the stop, drop and roll procedure:
Step 1: Stop where you are
Step 2: Drop to the floor
Step 3: Roll around on the floor – this will help to smother (put out) the flames and may save your life
Evacuate and get away
Remember
Many people, particularly young children, die every year from indoor air pollution. Smoke from burning fuel (e.g. gas, paraffin, coal or wood) can cause illnesses like asthma, bronchitis, coughing and pneumonia, especially in small homes.
Here are some tips for getting out safely if there is a fire in your home:
- When passing through a smoke-filled area, keep low to avoid the rising smoke.
- Try to cover your face with a damp cloth or handkerchief.
- Take short breaths through your nose until you reach safety.
- Smoke can be blinding – try to feel your way along with the back of your hand until you can find a door.
- If your clothes catch fire, don’t run – wrap yourself in a coat or blanket and roll on the floor.
- Once you are out of the building, don’t go back.
- Before leaving a room, feel the door through which you want to escape with the back of your hand. If it is hot, or if you see smoke at its edges, don’t open it!
- If you feel a door that is cool to the touch, turn your face away and open it slightly. If heat or smoke rushes in, shut the door. Leave by another exit to the outside or wait at a window for rescue.
- Stuff bedding or clothes (water-soaked if possible) at the bottom of the door, open the window slightly for fresh air, and hang out clothes or a sheet to attract the attention of rescuers.
- If conditions become worse, hang out of the window and wrap your legs in a (water-soaked, if possible) rug or coat to protect yourself against the heat. Do not jump from upper floors! Many people have been killed by panic jumping when rescue was just minutes away.
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