Knowing what to do during a fire could save lives. And one of the most important actions is to close the door.
That’s the reminder from the New York City Fire Department after two recent deadly fires. One of them occurred on Monday in Inwood, Manhattan, where three people died.
It’s also after a fire in the Bronx on April 21 claimed the lives of two people, and the FDNY noted that closing doors would have helped prevent the tragedy.
“Leaving a door open while escaping a fire can cause it to grow and spread rapidly throughout the building,” said FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore. “This can create a dangerous situation for both occupants and FDNY members responding to the emergency. The message is simple: ‘Close the door.'”
Below is an explainer on what to do during a fire:
- Call 911: Dial 911 whenever there is a threat to life or property, including fire, smoke, gas odor, or medical emergencies. It is important to call 911 quickly, as the situation can worsen rapidly.
- Have Working Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms: Properly functioning smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors save lives by giving you and your loved ones an early warning sign that something is wrong. Fire spreads quickly, and carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Working detectors are the most critical component of your evacuation plan.
- Have an Escape Plan and Practice It: Everyone in your household should participate in creating the plan and practice it regularly. As part of the evacuation planning process, be sure to find out whether you live in a fireproof or non-fireproof building. Knowing whether a structure is fireproof will help you determine whether to stay put or evacuate, depending on the circumstances of a fire in your building. Always follow the Fire Department’s instructions in emergency situations. Learn more here.
- Find out if you live in a fireproof building: The type of building you live in influences how you and your loved ones should plan for and carry out an evacuation in case of fire. Knowing whether your building is fireproof can ultimately save a life. Check with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) if you have any doubts about whether your building is fireproof. Remember: If you are in imminent danger due to a fire, or if there is a fire inside your apartment, get out immediately and call 911. Always follow the Fire Department’s instructions during emergencies.
- Close the door when escaping a fire: If you leave a building during a fire, close all doors as you exit. This will keep the fire inside. This includes the stairwell door. Many objects can catch fire, such as furniture, carpets, decorations, and more. If doors are left open, flames and smoke can spread more quickly.
- Keep emergency exits clear: Some buildings have fire escapes that should be used as exits in case of an emergency, such as a fire.
- Know what to do if your clothes catch fire: Hair and clothing can easily catch fire. If you or your clothing catch fire, follow these steps (Cover your face with your hands, Drop to the ground and roll over repeatedly, Call 911 for help).
- Place portable heaters at least three feet away from combustible materials: Combustible materials, such as blankets, curtains, and newspapers, can easily catch fire. Be sure to keep these types of materials at least three feet away from portable heaters.
- Establish a child-free zone around the stove while cooking: A large number of home fires start in the kitchen. Keep your children safe in the kitchen by following these safety tips: Establish a three-foot “child-free zone” around the stove, turn pot handles inward, toward the wall, to prevent burns from spills or tip-overs, and never leave children unsupervised in the kitchen while cooking.
- Learn and practice CPR.
For more information, click here.
