What to Do When a Fire Happens
Fire is one of the most dangerous things that can happen in a home. It is important to know what to do if a fire starts, and how to prevent one from happening in the first place.
Fires in the United States cause billions of dollars in damage each year. They also result in thousands of injuries and deaths. Home fires are especially common, and they can be started by any number of things, from cooking accidents to electrical problems.
Knowing what to do if a fire starts in your home can help you keep yourself and your family safe. Here are some tips:
- If you see smoke or flames, get out of the house immediately and call 911. Do not try to put the fire out yourself.
- If you can't get out of the house, close all doors between you and the fire to help slow its spread. Then, go to a room with an outside window and wave a brightly colored piece of cloth to signal for help.
- Once you're out of the house, stay out. Do not go back inside for any reason.
Preventing home fires is just as important as knowing what to do if one starts. Some simple steps you can take include:
- Keep flammable liquids like gasoline and cleaning products stored in safe, non-flammable containers.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Keep space heaters away from flammable materials like curtains and blankets.
- Have working smoke alarms in every room of your house. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
Following these tips can help you stay safe in the event of a fire, and prevent one from happening in the first place.
Hire a Firewatch Company
If you are worried about the risk of fire in your home or business, consider hiring a fire watch company. Fire watch guards companies provide trained individuals to watch for signs of fire and take action to prevent them from spreading. These fire watch guardscan give you peace of mind and help keep your property safe.
The steps to take when a fire happens are: get out of the house immediately and call 911, close all doors between you and the fire to help slow its spread, go to a room with an outside window and wave a brightly colored piece of cloth to signal for help, stay out of the house, do not try to put the fire out yourself, and never go back inside.
How to Treat Fire Burns
If you have been burned by fire, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. First-degree burns can be treated at home, but more serious burns require professional medical treatment.
- First-degree burns are the least serious type of burn. They damage the first layer of skin and usually cause redness, pain, and swelling.
- Second-degree burns damage deeper layers of skin and often result in blisters. They are more painful than first-degree burns and may require medical attention.
- Third-degree burns are the most serious type of burn. They damage all layers of skin and underlying tissues. Third-degree burns may require surgery and can lead to serious health complications.
When to See a Doctor
- If you have a first-degree burn, you can treat it at home by applying cool water to the area for 20 minutes. You should also avoid breaking any blisters that form.
- If you have a second-degree burn, you should seek medical attention. Second-degree burns require professional treatment to prevent infection and promote healing.
- If you have a third-degree burn, you should go to the hospital immediately. Third-degree burns are life-threatening and require immediate medical care.