Home fire alarm

It is unpleasant to consider that fire could break out in your home, but it is also important to know what you should do if a fire did happen. Do you know the best ways to leave the house in the event of fire? It is sensible to know what to do before your home fire alarm sounds off, so that you and your family can have a safe evacuation without getting hurt.

If the home fire alarm is sounding but you cannot see if there is a fire, don't open any closed doors without first touching the door or door handles to see if they are warm, indicating the possibility of fire on the other side. It is advisable not to open the door if the door handles are warm.

Howver, if you do open the door, do so slowly, and if you detect heat and smoke on the other side, shut the door quickly, so that the fire doesn't spread to the room you are in. Chances are you’ll see the smoke from the fire before you see any flames. 

Smoke inhalation poses a serious health danger in the event of fire. Heat rises, taking smoke with it so if you find yourself in a smoke filled area, get down low to the ground and crawl on your hands and knees to the nearest exit point. If you are close to a wash basin, bath or shower, soak a cloth or a towel in water and hold it over your nose and mouth to act as a filter from the smoke, but a dry cloth is better than nothing.

With a little preparation now, you and your family will be best placed to conduct yourselves properly in the event of a fire, and to be able to get out without anyone getting hurt. Children should be taught what to do in the event of fire, and a regular fire practice - just as they do at school or college - is a worthwhile discipline.

A little planning and knowledge now, will help protect your family and keep them safe when your home fire alarm goes off.