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Alert everyone

Make sure everyone in the house knows about the fire – shout and get everyone together.

Get everyone out

You should have an escape route planned that everyone in your house is familiar with. If you don’t have one already, see 'Planning a safe escape' for information on how to make an escape plan for your home. As you escape, remember:

• don’t delay to save valuables or look for pets
• don’t investigate the fire
• crawl on the floor if there’s smoke - the air is cleaner near the floor
• on the floor, put your nose as low as possible - remember, smoke is toxic and can kill you
• as you go out, only open the doors you need to and close any open doors you can to slow the spread of the fire
• feel doors with the back of your hand before you open them, if they’re warm, don’t open them – the fire is on the other side
• if you’re escaping with others, stay together if you can

• Planning a safe escape

If your clothes catch fire

If your clothes catch fire:

• don’t run around – you will fan the flames and make them burn faster
• lying down makes it harder for the fire to spread and reduces the effect of flames on your face and head - flames burn upwards
• smother the flames - cover the flames with heavy material, like a coat or blanket; this blocks the fire's supply of oxygen
• roll around – rolling smothers the flames

When you can't get out by your escape route

If your escape route is blocked:

• if you’re on the ground floor, go out of a window – throw bedding or cushions onto the ground outside to break your fall
• if you can’t open the window, use a heavy object to break it – cover any jagged edges with clothing, a towel or a blanket
• lower children as far as possible before letting them drop – get an adult to break their fall if you can
• lower yourself by your arms from the window ledge before dropping

If you can’t get out, get everyone into one room:

• choose a room with a window, if you can
• put cushions, towels or bedding at the bottom of the door to block smoke
• open the window and call for help
• think about which room might be best for this – you need a window that can be opened and, if possible, a phone for calling 999

Call 999

Once you’re out and safe, try and find a phone to call the emergency services - 999 calls are free.

When you speak to the operator:

• give your whole address, including the town
• tell them what is on fire, eg 'a two-storey house'
• explain if anyone is trapped and what room they’re in – give as much information as you can so they can help you
  

Don't go back in

You should find somewhere safe to wait near the building. If there's someone still inside, wait for the fire and rescue service to arrive. You can tell them about the person and they will be able to find them quicker than you.

If you go back into the building, you will slow down the firefighters' efforts to rescue anyone else missing - and put your own life in danger.

What to do if you live in a high-rise flat

If you live in a block of flats, you should consider that a fire could start directly outside your flat, or in the stairwell. See 'Planning a safe escape' for more information on planning an escape - it includes specific guidance for plans for high-rises.

If a fire starts in your flat or the stairwell and you can’t get out:

• get everyone into a room with a window - put cushions, bedding, or clothes around the bottom of the door to block smoke
• open the window - if you feel in serious danger, wave a sheet out of the window so the firefighters know you're there
• if the fire is directly outside your flat, seal your front door with tape, bedding or clothes, close any ventilators and phone 999
• if your front door becomes hot, wet it down

• Planning a safe escape

More useful links

• After a fire: what to do

• Fire Kills - you can prevent it Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Home and community contacts