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Critical
My house is on fire
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fire in a residential building.
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This content is in Draft and has not been professionally reviewed. It is provided for preview while expert review is in progress.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fire in a residential building.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Get out. Stay low. Call for help. Do not go back inside.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Signs: smoke, flames, intense heat, crackling sounds, smoke alarm sounding, smell of burning.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Smoke is toxic and disorienting. You can become unconscious in minutes without visible flames nearby.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If you see or smell fire or smoke, treat it as an emergency. Do not wait to investigate further.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fire spreads rapidly through a home. Smoke and toxic gases — not flames — are the leading cause of death in house fires.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You may have as little as two minutes to escape once a fire starts. Every second counts.
Check the scene before you approach.
Fire · HARD STOP
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — DO NOT GO BACK INSIDE. Fire and smoke kill within seconds.
Do not: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not re-enter for people, pets, or belongings.
Instead: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay outside. Tell firefighters who may still be inside.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Proceed with evacuation guidance once you confirm you will not re-enter.
Fire · CRITICAL
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not use elevators during a fire — they can fail or open onto a fire floor.
Instead: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use stairs to evacuate. Stay low if smoke is present.
Fire · CAUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Close doors behind you as you evacuate to slow fire and smoke spread.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Alert everyone in the home. Shout "Fire!" and get everyone moving toward the nearest exit.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay low — crawl if needed. Smoke and hot gases rise to the ceiling.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not stop to collect belongings. Get out now.
When and how to get professional help.
Do not attempt to fight a large fire. Do not re-enter a burning building.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 from a safe location outside the building.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Say: Fire emergency. Address: [full address]. Building type: house/apartment. People inside: [number if known]. Your location: outside front/side.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not hang up. The dispatcher may ask about trapped persons or fire location.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT go back inside for any reason once you are out.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT open windows during a fire — this feeds oxygen to the flames.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT use elevators during a fire.
Step-by-step questions to help you decide what to do.
Emergency mode includes an interactive decision guide that walks you through key questions for this situation.
Open emergency guideChild, infant, elderly, and other variations.
This variant requires independent expert review before publication
How to Help Someone Else
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Pick up infants and small children. Carry them low, below smoke level.
This variant requires independent expert review before publication
First Minute
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Offer an arm for support. Move at their fastest safe pace toward the exit.
This variant requires independent expert review before publication
What you can do before an emergency happens.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two exits from every room.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Install smoke detectors on every level. Choose a meeting point outside, away from the building.
Check your understanding with recognition and action questions.
Question 1 · action-first
You smell smoke and see flames in your kitchen. What should you do first?
Feedback: Get everyone out immediately. Do not attempt to fight a large fire. Call emergency help from outside.
Question 2 · do-not
After escaping a house fire, what should you NOT do?
Feedback: Never go back inside a burning building. Fire and smoke can kill in seconds. Wait for firefighters.
Question 3 · action-first
You are in a smoke-filled room. How should you move?
Feedback: Stay low — smoke and toxic gases rise. Crawl to the exit if needed.
Reusable skills connected to this situation.
Am I safe?
Recognize hazards before you help. Do not become another casualty.
Call for help
WHERE → WHAT → HOW MANY → DANGER → CONDITION → CALLBACK.
Should I move them?
Do not move unnecessarily — move when staying creates greater immediate danger.
Help safely
Rescue limitations, dangerous improvisation, and escalation.
Where this guidance comes from.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Before opening a door, feel it with the back of your hand. If hot, use another exit.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Close doors behind you as you leave. This slows fire and smoke spread.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use stairs, not elevators. Elevators can fail or open onto a fire floor.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Once outside, go to your pre-arranged meeting point. Account for everyone.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 from outside. Tell them the address and that people may still be inside.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT go back inside for any reason — not for people, pets, or possessions.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Help children, elderly, or disabled persons evacuate first if you can do so safely.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Guide others to the nearest safe exit. Tell them to stay low and move quickly.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not re-enter the building to search for others. Tell firefighters who may be trapped.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If your escape route is blocked, close the door. Seal gaps with wet towels or clothing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Go to a window. Signal for help. Open the window for air but do not break it unless necessary.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If you must wait for rescue, stay low near the floor where air is cleaner.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If the primary exit is blocked, use a secondary exit — back door, garage, or window on ground floor.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If trapped on an upper floor, go to a room with an exterior window. Close the door. Signal at the window.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A fire extinguisher (ABC type) can suppress small, contained fires. Only use if you are trained.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Smoke detectors provide early warning. Test monthly and replace batteries as needed.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Your escape plan and staying low are your primary tools. No equipment is needed to evacuate.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use a wet cloth over your nose and mouth if available while moving through smoke.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Can suppress small, contained fires only — not large or spreading fires.
Evacuate immediately
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Provides early warning to evacuate before conditions become unsurvivable.
None — evacuation is the priority
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Always call 112 for any house fire, even if it appears extinguished.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Anyone exposed to smoke needs medical evaluation. Smoke inhalation can cause delayed symptoms.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not attempt to fight a large or spreading fire without proper training and equipment.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A fire extinguisher is only for small, contained fires (wastebasket size). If in doubt, evacuate.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Myth: "Open windows during a fire." Reality: Opening windows feeds oxygen to the fire and spreads smoke.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Myth: "Go back for belongings or pets." Reality: Re-entering a burning building is frequently fatal.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Open windows during a fire to let smoke out
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Opening windows feeds oxygen to the fire and can cause flashover.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Increased oxygen accelerates fire spread and puts rescuers at risk.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Go back inside to save belongings or pets
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Once outside, stay outside. Tell firefighters about anyone or any pets still inside.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Most fire deaths occur when people re-enter burning buildings.
Alternative Safe Methods
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If wheelchair-bound on an upper floor, go to a stairwell or window and signal for rescue.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not re-enter until fire officials declare the building safe.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Contact your insurance company. Seek temporary shelter through local disaster relief if needed.