A property fire can be one of the most traumatizing experiences for individuals. It puts their life, property, and money at stake. Thousands of people die in property fires despite having great survival chances. It’s because these individuals don’t know what to do if they get stuck in these fires.
It’s more than just fire extinguisher maintenance if you want to make it out alive. According to statistics, there are over 346,800 in the U.S. every year, killing thousands of these residents.
When stuck in a fire, the steps you take can greatly impact your survival chances. For instance, individuals that start panicking during fires—which is natural, make it worse. It’s common for individuals to feel overwhelmed if they’re stuck in a fire.
Steps to Make it Out Alive if You’re Trapped in a Fire
The biggest problem is that most individuals think they would never face an issue like this. However, property fires may be more common than you think.
You won’t have time to strategize at that moment, so it’s best to learn about it in advance. This article will discuss the steps you can take to make it out alive if you’re stuck in a fire.
1. Avoid Panicking at All Costs
Most people are in disbelief when they find themselves in a fire. They think about how they always ensured fire extinguisher servicing, but now they can’t reach the fire extinguisher. This kind of case is common with apartment tenants.
The first thing you should do is not panic at any cost. Panicking may impact your ability to think straight—impacting your chances of survival. Think of the best ideas, depending on your specific situation. Assess your surroundings carefully and find the most viable options for them.
For example, an apartment could have a lift, which people usually prefer as it is faster than traditional stairs. However, the lift can fall, killing the ones in it or even injuring them. So, it’s best to take the stairs down the apartment to get out safely.
2. Set the Right Preventive Measures
There’s little you can do when the fire becomes serious. You should avoid being the hero and should focus on getting out safely. If you have family, try to gather them as quickly as possible and get out of there.
Another challenge is that most people don’t know the right preventive measures. Experts say every property should have the following to avoid fire damage.
- Fire alarms
- Fire doors
- Fire extinguishers
If you have all the above-mentioned items installed and ready on your property—fire safety shouldn’t be a massive problem.
3. Create Escape Plans
Most people don’t know what to do if stuck in a fire, creating a haphazard situation. The best way to counter this—is an escape plan. The escape plan ensures everyone knows what to do and gets out safely. The right plan can increase survival chances in a fire situation—so evaluate it carefully.
Bottom Line
Escaping fires can be particularly challenging, but with the steps we’ve mentioned, it shouldn’t take a lot. We recommend trying these tips to ensure you stay safe. But if you still have more questions about Chicago fire safety. Please contact Connected Fire.