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Key steps to evacuating safely if there's a fire
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Being prepared and having a plan in mind are the simplest ways to stay safe in the event of a fire emergency. To prepare for a house or building fire, it’s essential to know the layout of the space, the exit locations, and the safest way to make your escape. To escape a wildfire, travel downhill and upwind. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step and precaution you need to know about for all types of fire emergencies.
Things You Should Know
- Escape a building fire by going to the closest exit. Feel doors with the back of your hands to see if they’re cool enough to open, and stay low to the ground to avoid smoke inhalation.
- In a forest fire, move downhill and upwind from the blaze and look for an area with a natural firebreak or trench.
- Call 911 or emergency services as soon as you’re safe so firefighters can be dispatched to your location.
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
Escaping a Building Fire
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Head to the nearest exit. If you’re at home, an exit could be a door, window, or even a fire escape ladder. [1] X Research source If you’re in a public building, locate the nearest emergency exit, designated with an EXIT sign, a picture of a running man in a doorway, or both. If smoke is present, stay low. If you are unable to escape, proceed back into your room. [2] X Trustworthy Source National Fire Protection Association Nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. Go to source
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Check the door for any signs of fire on the other side. First, feel the door and doorknob with the back of your hand. If it feels warm or hot, don't open it. Then, check around the door for signs of smoke or heat. If you see glowing embers or black smoke through the door, you also should not open it. [3] X Research source
- Use an alternate escape method to leave the building, but don’t use an elevator—these are unreliable and can malfunction during a fire, leaving you trapped.
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Open the door slowly. Only open it far enough that you can see what is on the other side of the door. If you observe heavy smoke or flame, close the door and remain where you are.
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Make sure your door remains closed but unlocked upon exit. This will help reduce the spread of fire to your room if the fire manages to reach there, as well as ensure that any fire that might be in your room does not escape and create a dangerous situation for evacuees. Doors do an effective job at stopping fire, which is why the NFPA and numerous fire departments recommend closing your bedroom door before you go to sleep. [4] X Trustworthy Source State of New York Official website for the State of New York Go to source
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Proceed down to your meeting point. Your meeting point is either outside, on the ground floor, on a sky lobby floor, or in some other location that is easy to reach during an emergency. If you are unable to reach your main meeting point, then proceed to an alternate meeting point. [5] X Research source
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Do not use the elevator. Elevators can easily malfunction in a fire, and you could get trapped if you decide to use it as your escape. Use the stairs to make your escape if you’re on the higher floor of the building, or wait for firefighters to assist you. [6] X Research source
- Firefighters can operate the elevators manually with a special key.
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Secure yourself and get a firefighter’s attention if you can’t escape. Seal the doors and any window vents with wet towels or sheets if you’re unable to evacuate or are ordered to stay in place. Then, focus on getting the attention of firefighters by opening a window and waving something colorful or bright. [7] X Research source
- This might be the best option if you’re on the higher floor of a building.
- Climb from a window, patio, or balcony only if it is safe to do so.
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Report the emergency once you’re in a safe location. If you live in the United States, call 911 to be connected with emergency services, who can dispatch the fire department to your location. Speak as calmly and clearly as you can as you describe exactly where the fire is happening. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions if they provide any. [8] X Research source
- Click here for a list of international numbers to dial during a fire emergency.
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Section 2 of 3:
Escaping from a Wildfire
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Move downhill and upwind. Hot masses of air that rise cause wildfires to travel uphill, and walking uphill will slow you down anyway. Move in the direction the wind is coming from, and locate this direction by looking to see where smoke is blowing. [9] X Research source
- Try to look high in the sky for the direction of the smoke’s travel.
- Look for the direction in which leaves and branches are swaying.
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Search for an area without combustible material. Once you’ve set your direction for downhill and upwind travel, look for a natural firebreak. (A firebreak is an area that has comparatively less material for the fire to consume, like a rocky area or field of boulders, road, body of water, or patch of large trees that might retain more moisture than other nearby foliage.) [10] X Research source
- Steer clear of open areas with small, dry shrubs or bushes.
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Find or dig a trench if escape is not possible. If you cannot escape to a safer location, look for a trench or gully to help you survive the wildfire. If you find such an enclosure, try to quickly dig it out to create a space deep enough for you to fit your body. Crawl in, preferably with your feet facing the direction of the fire, and cover yourself with dirt. Make sure you can breathe as you take cover. [11] X Research source
- If a wildfire is within close range, surrounding you, or otherwise blocking all means of downhill and upwind escape (and if no safe locations are available), you might have to resort to running through the fire’s leading edge into an area that’s already burned.
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Call emergency services as soon as you’re in a safe location. Give the dispatcher your name and contact information, and describe where the fire is (and where it’s headed). Provide as much information as you can, including the smoke’s color, the terrain the fire is covering, if it’s near a fuel source, and so on. [12] X Research source
- Never assume that the fire is already reported. It’s better to be on the safe side!
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Practice safe hiking and camping practices. Prevent getting stuck in a wildfire before hiking or camping by assessing risks like weather conditions, extreme drought, any buildup of dry materials in your hiking or camping area, and the wind’s direction. Check with local park rangers if there is any threat of wildfire in your area. [13] X Research source
- Don’t build a campfire in dry conditions, especially if your park ranger lets you know there’s a local burn ban.
- If it’s safe to build a campfire, keep it small, contained, and away from trees or shrubs. Never leave it unattended.
- Make sure your campfire is completely extinguished before you leave by pouring a lot of water over it, stirring the ashes, pouring more water, making sure there’s no hissing sound, and making sure it’s cool to the touch.
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Evacuate as soon as you’re ordered to if a wildfire is close. Grab bare essentials as quickly as possible and leave immediately if you’re under a wildfire evacuation order. If you live in an area threatened by wildfires, contact your local fire department’s non-emergency line or search the internet to find out about any available email or text message alert systems. [14] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow many smoke detectors and where should I install them in our home?David Decker is a Firefighting Expert based in Newark, Ohio. Assistant Chief Decker was a career firefighter for 32+ years at Newark Fire Department and served as an Assistant Chief for 14 years. As Assistant Chief, he was in charge of department operations and training. He is now the owner of Command Vision, a fire training company focusing on incident command. He also has a YouTube channel where he uploads dash-cam videos captured at fire scenes that serve as training material for fire officers who want to expand their knowledge. The channel features over 40 structure fire videos and has garnered 55k followers and more than 15 million views.You can install one smoke detector in each bedroom and one on each floor, such as in the hallways of the first and second floors. This ensures early notification in case of a fire, providing ample time to evacuate safely.
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QuestionWhat happens if there is no window to get out of?Community AnswerIf you are stuck in a room with no window and no other available exits, call emergency services. Give them your exact location. If you don't have a phone handy, yell for help as loudly as possible. Firefighters and other emergency personnel will arrive soon, so do your best to be loud and let them know you're still in the building.
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QuestionShould I shut a door when exiting a house that's on fire?Community AnswerYes, shutting the door slows the spread of the fire by creating another barriers/object the fire has to get through.
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Tips
- One of the biggest hazards during a fire is the risk of smoke inhalation. [23] X Research source Get out as soon as you can to avoid inhaling lots of unhealthy, high-temperature smoke.Thanks
- Keep your keys and/or ID badges with you. These may be used to ensure that everyone is accounted for during an evacuation. This will also allow you to reenter the structure after the all-clear is given. [24] X Research sourceThanks
- Always call emergency services at the earliest available opportunity. Don’t assume someone else has called emergency services in the event of a fire at a public location or outdoors.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- As difficult as it may be, don't go back in the house to get your children or pets. Let the firemen handle the rescuing, as they have the equipment and expertise for it.
- If you don't have wet clothes or other shirts, use wet blankets instead. Wet the blanket with water, and then put it under the locked door.
- If you're in a smoke-filled room, pull your shirt over your mouth and nose. It won't filter all the smoke out, but it still helps.
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about escaping fires, check out our in-depth interview with David Decker .
References
- ↑ https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/emergency-preparedness/fire-safety
- ↑ https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/escape-planning
- ↑ https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/if-a-fire-starts.html
- ↑ https://www.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/codes/close-the-door.pdf
- ↑ https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/emergency-preparedness/fire-safety
- ↑ https://www.cambridgema.gov/cfd/News/2023/03/donotuseanelevatorduringafire.aspx
- ↑ https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/if-a-fire-starts.html
- ↑ https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/678/documents/safety-information/ResidentialEAPHANDOUT.pdf
- ↑ https://scoutingmagazine.org/2016/04/survival-strategies-help-escape-forest-fire/
- ↑ https://scoutingmagazine.org/2016/04/survival-strategies-help-escape-forest-fire/
- ↑ https://scoutingmagazine.org/2016/04/survival-strategies-help-escape-forest-fire/
- ↑ https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/wildfire/prevention/report.html
- ↑ https://scoutingmagazine.org/2016/04/survival-strategies-help-escape-forest-fire/
- ↑ https://www.ready.gov/wildfires
- ↑ https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/home-fire-preparedness.html
- ↑ https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/fire-safety-equipment.html#smoke-alarms
- ↑ https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/home-fire-preparedness.html
- ↑ https://www.ncdps.gov/blog/2021/10/06/learn-sounds-fire-safety
- ↑ https://www.ready.gov/home-fires
- ↑ https://www.unthsc.edu/safety/fire-safety/
- ↑ https://www.phoenix.gov/fire/safety-information/fire-safety/stopdroproll
- ↑ https://www.usfa.fema.gov/gallery/pictographs/stop-drop-roll.html
- ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/smoke_inhalation_is_the_most_common_cause_of_death_in_house_fires
- ↑ http://trip.ustia.org/safety/tips/1173/how-to-escape-during-a-hotel-fire/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To escape from a house fire, try to stay calm and make your way to the nearest exit, staying as low to the ground as possible to avoid smoke inhalation and increase visibility. Next, use the back of your hand to feel doorknobs before you open them and shut the door quickly if you encounter fire or smoke. If all possible exits are blocked, do what you can to let emergency responders know where you are, such as yelling for help, shining a flashlight at a window, or waving a light-colored cloth or piece of clothing out of a window. For tips on creating an escape plan in case of a house fire, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "The picture which is use in the article itself says so many things. Great article. Some of the things which are new to know about include to keep a key with you and show a flag from the window, to check the door knob temperature and to check fire behind. Thank you so much for wonderful advice." ..." more
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"The picture which is use in the article itself says so many things. Great article. Some of the things which are new to know about include to keep a key with you and show a flag from the window, to check the door knob temperature and to check fire behind. Thank you so much for wonderful advice."
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"I will go practice fire escape routes at my building, that was a great advice. And crawling is an awesome idea. Learned very important things from this article."
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