What to do when your house is on fire

A house fire is potentially devastating. Take every precaution to avoid one, and be ready to act if the worst should happen.

• No home is completely fireproof, but faulty wiring and appliances, overloaded sockets and unmanned stoves are all fire hazards that are easily avoided.
• Take extra caution with lit cigarettes and candles as these can also cause fires.
• A working smoke alarm, a fire blanket and extinguisher can prove vital in saving your life and possessions.
• Memorize how to use a fire extinguisher. You won't have time to review in the event of a blaze.
• Plan escape routes and ensure they're kept clear.

• If you smell smoke, the smoke alarm sounds or there are flames, call everyone together and lead them out by the safest route without pausing to investigate.
• Close doors behind you to help to contain the fire.
• In a choking cloud of smoke, stoop low where the air is clearer.
• Don't waste time trying to salvage your possessions.
• The instant you're clear of the building call the fire brigade.

• If smoke and fire block your progress and there's no other way out, marshal everyone into a refuge room.
• Use bedding, rugs or rolled-up carpet to block the gap under the door to keep out smoke and fumes.
• If you can get to a phone, dial the fire service.
• Open a window and shout for help. Wave a "flag" of some fabric to attract attention.

• More than half of domestic fires arise from cooking accidents, and most commonly start from cooking with oil.
• If your deep-fat frying pan catches light on the stove top, don't try to move it. Turn off the heat supply on the stove or at the main power source .
• If you cannot safely reach the stove top controls. Get out of the room and close the door. Evacuate the house and call the fire department.
• Never use water on an oil fire as it can cause a fireball, while a fire extinguisher can spread the flames.
• Fire services caution against covering the pan with a damp tea towel and rolling it over the flames, away from you. It's simply too risky.

• The best way to prevent electrical fires is to regularly check wiring and appliances.
• Watch for warning signs of faults, such as fuses that frequently blow or lights that flicker and scorch around sockets.
• The best advice for avoiding electrical fires is to unplug appliances whenever they aren't in use.
• In the case of an electrical fire, cut off the main supply if you can get safely to it.
• Don't touch a socket or remove an appliance until you've cut the power.
• A fire blanket, a dry powder or carbon dioxide fire extinguisher can be used on a small, localized electrical fire. Otherwise, evacuate the house and call the emergency services.
• Before you open a door, check the top and handle with the back of your hand. If it's warm, there's fire on the other side. If cool, stand behind it, open it a crack and brace your foot against the door in case hot gases try to blow it wide.

Knowing how to deal with different kinds of fires can be the difference between saving your home and losing it. But never try to be the hero. Stay safe, calm and call the professionals.