30 December 2008

Need help choosing a New Year resolution that’s easy to stick to? Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service has come up with one that could save your life.

Many people never stop to think about what they would do if their home caught fire. There’s a simple answer – draw up an escape plan!

Chief Fire Officer Damian Smith said: “If you have thought about it in advance, you have a much better chance of acting swiftly and calmly in the event of an emergency.

“The situation can change very quickly – half a minute after the smoke alarm goes off, an entire floor of your house could be filled with dense smoke.”

Mr Smith said the first step was to involve everyone who lives in your home in drawing up the escape plan. “Talk through it, and discuss what you are going to do – and what you are not going to do – if a fire occurs.

“Ideally you are going to get everyone out, call 999 and stay out. If it’s not possible to get out straight away, it’s important to know how to stay inside as safely as possible.”

If you can’t escape you will need to find a room to take refuge in. It’s best if the room has a window and a phone. Shut the door, put cushions or bedding around the bottom to block the smoke, open the window and start shouting for help.

Mr Smith said the best escape route was the normal way in and out of your home. Think of any difficulties you may have getting out, for example in the middle of the night. Choose a second route in case the first one is blocked, and keep both clear of obstructions.

“If there are older people or children in the household, plan the order you’d escape in, so that if you have to go out of a window you can help them down,” he said.

Decide where the keys to doors and windows should be kept, and always keep them there. Everyone in your household should know the location. If you have fire extinguishers or fire blankets, make sure all adults know where they are, and how to use them. Extinguishers and blankets should only be used on a small, easily containable fire. “The priority is to keep people safe,” said Mr Smith. “Things can be replaced, but people can’t.”

Practise the plan by taking a few minutes to “walk through” it with everyone. Put your address by the phone so children can read it out to the emergency services and put a reminder of what to do in a fire somewhere prominent, like on the door of the fridge.

Mr Smith said: “My own wish for 2009 – and every year come to that - is that no-one will find themselves in this situation. If you do, I can guarantee that you’ll be glad you were prepared for it.”

What to do if there’s a fire

• Make sure everyone in your home knows about the fire. Shout and get everyone together. Don’t investigate the fire, and don’t go looking for valuables and pets.
  
  
• Get everyone out by using your escape route. Stay together if you can. Shut doors as you go out, only opening the doors you need to. Before you open a door check it with the back of your hand. If it’s warm, don’t open it – the fire is the other side.
  
  
• Crawl on the floor if there’s smoke – the air is cleaner near the floor so if there’s smoke put your nose as low as possible. Smoke is poisonous and can kill you.
  
  
• Call 999 once you’ve escaped, using a mobile, a neighbour’s phone or a phone box. Speak slowly and clearly and try to give all the information you are asked for.
  
  
• If there’s someone still inside, wait for the firefighters to arrive. You can tell them about the person and they will be able to find them quicker than you can.
  
  
• Find somewhere safe to wait. When firefighters arrive, give them as much information as possible about the fire and the building.

For more advice and information, ring the Community Safety team on 01296 744477 or send an email to cs@bucksfire.gov.uk