Q&A for How to Keep Safe During a House Fire

The number one cause of house fires usually starts in the kitchen. People get sidetracked easily and end up forgetting the food they leave on the stove. To prevent this, you can use a timer, stay in the kitchen while cooking, and keeping a fire extinguisher in sight in case things do not go as planned. Another common cause is laundry dryer fires, and they usually happen because of lint buildup. Lint collects in the trap, and if it’s not cleaned out, it can catch fire from the heat of the dryer. That’s why dryers have a lint filter that you should clean out before every load—it’s a simple habit that can prevent a big problem.

Get at least across the street from the house. Get as far away as possible because the house may explode depending on the cause of the fire.

Stand on the ledge outside of your window until the first responders reach you with a ladder. Do not jump as the fall will either injure or kill you. Call out to get the attention of people below, so that they can direct the rescuers.

Leave the room and close the door behind you, then call 911. If there's a fire extinguisher nearby, you or someone else might reenter and try to extinguish the fire while it's still small, if you move quickly enough.

You should get out anyway, because your life is more important than people seeing you naked. If you just got out of the shower, however, you might have time to throw on a bathrobe or wrap a towel around you.

When you leave your house because the flames are uncontrollable, close the door in the room the fire is in to try to stop the fire from spreading.

You should plan an escape route and an escape plan ahead of time. This way, when or if a fire occurs, you will know exactly what to do. You can even practice your escape to make sure that it will work for you.

Get to a safe place in your house where the fire is not very close, and stay until help finds you.

Yell and scream that the house is on fire as loudly as possible. Shake them if needed. They will wake up eventually.

They should stop, drop and roll and/or wrap themselves in a wet blanket.

Break out the window, tear down the nets as hard as you can, then get out of the house.

If you have enough time to do so, then do it. Otherwise, get out as soon as possible.

Put the baby under your shirt as you escape and get to fresh air immediately. This will help prevent the baby from breathing in any smoke and ash. When you get outside, rouse them so they can breathe fresh oxygen.

If you have a ladder nearby, and tape, tape something over the vent or just cover it in tape. If there isn't enough time, just get out as fast as you can.

If the fire is really raging, there may not be much you can do. But keep your sprinklers on and keep a fire kit nearby. And remember your life is more important than your home! If your home is on fire, don't go back inside.

Stop, drop and roll. Be sure to cover your mouth and nose as well to keep you safe.

If you have a escape plan, use that and carry the baby. If you don't know an escape plan, look for the closest exit. If the door is blocked, set the baby down in front of your body and away from the fire, get the window open, and get out.

Call 911, and get out of the house. Call your parents as soon as it is safe to do so and tell them what's happening.

Switch off the appliance and pull out the plug. Smother the fire with a blanket or Type C extinguisher. Never try to use water, because water conducts electricity and can give you an electrical shock.

You don't unless they are directly beside you/in your path - you need to get to safety. Try calling to them on the way out or whistle for them. Let the fire service find them. Do NOT waste time looking for them. Get out, FAST!

If your house is on fire and you are outside, do not go back inside. Tell the firefighter that your pets are inside and they will try and rescue them.

If it's safe, go back in and get them. But if there is fire/smoke between you and them, tell the firefighters and they will get them out as soon as possible.

Stay in the ride unless it is safe to exit or until a first responder tells you it is safe to do so.

Try to find a cloth, towel or coat from your wardrobe and cover it over your nose and mouth. A damp rag is even better.

Follow your escape plan and assist your elderly relatives in any way they need to safety, as long as you're not endangering yourself by doing so. If you cannot reach them to help, get out quickly and notify the firefighters that someone is still in the house. They will do all they can to get them out.

Do not go into the room. The fire has probably already spread there.

Yell as loud as you can to get their attention. If they're asleep and they won't wake up, they may have inhaled smoke. Alert your parents that you need help getting your friend to safety, and make sure someone has called emergency services.

If possible, place a moist cloth under the door for a few minutes. Call for help on your phone, if you have it.

Follow the instructions in the article and plan an escape route that everyone will adhere to in the event of a fire. You should also establish a place where everyone will go to meet up once they're safe.

No, move outside of home as fast as possible. Many people trapped in house fires die from inhaling too much carbon monoxide rather than directly from the fire; this is not something water can protect you from. You could take the measures described in the article to ward off smoke from the room you're in if you can't escape, but if it's possible to escape safely, that is always the best option.