What to Do When…

Plan B in Home Fires

Often, fire safety depends on quick thinking and the knowledge of what to do when…..

Most of this section is dedicated to those “worst case scenarios” we rarely ever consider. The information provided is short and sweet, easy to remember.

Even though this site outlines all the  ways to prevent home fires and how to safely evacuate in the event it happens, you still need a Plan B. Think of the following pages as that plan.

Not to Fight a Fire

Knowing when NOT to fight a fire is as important as knowing how to fight it.

When You’ve evacuated your family, called 911, grabbed the fire extinguisher you know how to use and now you’re ready to face the demon. Only problem, the little wastebasket fire that set off your smoke alarm has caught the living room draperies on fire. Now what? That fire extinguisher looks pretty puny. Do you play the hero, like David and his sling shot facing a fiery Goliath? Hell no!

Here are the situations that should scream “get out of the house, now.” Remember, most residential fire extinguishers have less than a minute, much less, of suppressant material. Do not fight the fire….

• If the fire has spread beyond the spot where it started, like the worst case scenario above.
• If you can’t fight the fire with your back to an escape exit. Remember in the section on fire extinguisher, we recommended placing the extinguisher next to an exit. This is why. If you can’t get to the fire without trapping yourself in a corner, don’t even try.
• If the fire could block your only escape. This sounds like the situation above, but it isn’t. Picture what would happen if the fire grew despite your best efforts with the extinguisher. If part of that enlarged fire footprint could prevent your safe evacuation, forget the fire and leave.
• If you don’t have adequate fire fighting equipment. We’re not talking about that grease fire in your frying pan. Just put the lid on the pan and turn off the burner. You don’t have to fly out of the house because you don’t have a fire extinguisher. We’re talking about that wastebasket fire that has caught bottom of the drapes, the electrical fire that has eaten through the dry wall. All situations a fire extinguisher could make a dent in. If you have no means of fighting the fire, leave.

Tagged as: when not to fight a fire