Emergency Preparedness Resources – 
During A Fire

Familiarize yourself with these items so you are prepared in the event of a fire. If your smoke alarm goes off or you see a fire:

• Remain calm and get out before calling 9-1-1.
• Feel the door with the back of your hand before you open it (burns on your fingers and palms can impair your ability to escape a fire using ladders or crawling).
• If you see smoke under the door, or if the door is hot, find another way out.
• If the door is cool, open it slowly and ensure fire or smoke is not blocking your escape. If clear, leave immediately through the door and close it behind you.
• Be ready to close a window or door immediately if it draws smoke into the room.
• If there’s smoke, crawl under the smoke and use a cloth, if possible, to cover your mouth and nose. Smoke and heat rise, so the air is clearer and cooler near the floor.
• If your escape route is blocked, shut the door immediately and use an alternate route, such as the window.
• If you are trapped in a burning building, stay near a window and close to the floor. Seal doors and vents with towels or duct tape to prevent smoke from entering. If possible, signal for help by hanging a light colored cloth at the window to alert firefighters to your location.
• If your clothes catch fire, STOP, DROP and ROLL until the fire is extinguished. Running will only make the fire burn faster.
• When safe call 9-1-1 and stay on the line until the operator hangs up.
• STAY OUT. Never go back into a burning building.
• In a multi-story building use the stairs to escape, never use an elevator to escape a fire.

Click here to return to the main page and find out how you and your employees can be prepared for an emergency. You can also learn what to do in response to a specific disaster.