Fires if you decide to put out a small fire, get everyone else out of the house and then position yourself between the fire and your escape route. If after 2 minutes you can neither contain nor extinguish the flames, or if your extinguisher runs out, don't waste critical time. Close the doors and windows to confine the flames, gases and smoke, get out of the house, and call the fire brigade. Never try to extinguish a fire that has spread to other items in the room or if the room is filling with smoke.
Chip pan fires
- Don't touch the pan, and turn off the heat if you can.
- Wrap your hands in a tea towel to protect them and place a damp cloth, lid or fire blanket over the pan.
- Leave the pan for at least 30 minutes to cool sufficiently so that the fire doesn't start up again.
- Never use water or any kind of extinguisher, except a fire blanket, to douse a chip-pan fire.
Furniture fires
- If it's a small fire, use an AFFF or water extinguisher.
- If the fire is burning fiercely or producing a lot of smoke, get out and shut the door. Burning upholstered furniture can produce extremely poisonous fumes and the flames can spread very quickly.
Curtain fires
- If it's safe to do so, douse with an AFFF, water or multipurpose dry powder extinguisher. If you're in any doubt, leave the room quickly and close the door - fires in curtains spread very quickly.
- Once the fire is out, check the curtains to make sure they are not smouldering. When it is safe, pull down the curtains.
Paraffin-heater fires
- Leave the heater where it is. If possible disconnect any electrical appliances nearby. Use a water, AFFF, multi-purpose dry powder or halon 121 1 extinguisher. After the flames are out, keep an eye on the heater - the heat of the metal may make the fire flare up again.
Gas-appliance fires
- Call the fire brigade immediately and tell them a gas fire has started.
- Turn off the gas supply at the main stop valve.
- When the gas has stopped flowing, extinguish other burning materials. Do not try to extinguish a gas fire until the gas supply has stopped flowing - this would risk an explosion.
Making an escape
If you can, get out of the room where the fire has started. Close the door, and close all other doors behind you.
Before opening a closed door, test it with the back of your hand for warmth. Do not open it if it feels hot or if smoke is seeping out from under it, because this means there is fire on the other side.
Get everyone out of the house, if they have not already vacated it. Don't try to find or pick up your valuables or any other possessions. Get out quickly, staying low if there's smoke - smoke can also kill.
If you're in bed when the smoke alarm goes off, roll out and crawl to the door. If the door is not hot, proceed as above. If possible, cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth.
If your exit is blocked by fire, close the door nearest the smoke and fill in the gap along the bottom with towels or sheets to stop the smoke from seeping in. Open the window and try to attract someone's attention; tell them to call the fire brigade. If smoke is in the room, crouch down at floor level - this will make it easier to breathe. Wait for the fire brigade.
If you are in immediate danger, drop bedding, a mattress or cushions onto the ground to soften your fall. Get out feet first, turn round and hang by your hands to the full length of your arms before dropping to the ground. If you must break a window, use a chair or drawer - anything but your hands.
Burning clothes
Make the victim lie down quickly to prevent the flames from spreading up to his face.
If cold water is available nearby, and an electrical fire is not involved and neither you nor the victim are near an electrical heater, use the water to douse the flames and cool the burns.
If you would have to fetch water, or water would be dangerous, find another way of smothering the flames -use a fire blanket, blanket or rug to wrap around the victim. Once the flames have died down, check that there is no smouldering material and then call an ambulance.
If your clothes are on fire, get down to the floor immediately and roll your body over and back until the flames are out. Cover yourself with a blanket and call for an ambulance.
