House fire is an unsettling and traumatising incident, but being prepared for the situation is necessary to ensure the well-being of the residents. Clarity of thoughts and planned and practised actions are the key elements that can help residents escape safely during a house fire. To prepare for it, an effective and well-practised escape plan and the right knowledge are significant.
Here, we have mentioned all the details regarding what to do in case of fire at home.
Steps to Do in Case of Fire at Home in UAE
House fire is a devastating yet preventable incident; implement home fire prevention and safety tips to avoid the incident. However, house fires can occur even after these precautions. That said, here are the steps that you can follow for safe evacuation. Moreover, it is necessary to have Hassantuk at home in the UAE – a smart fire safety device.
Step 1: Alert Everyone
The first step in case of a house fire is to alert all the residents in the house. Look for the nearest fire alarm button and activate it. If it malfunctions, shout ‘Fire-Stay Safe’ in a loud and clear voice. For children and elderly residents, knock on their doors and help them to evacuate first.
Step 2: Try to Extinguish the Fire
Once everyone is alert and children and elderly have evacuated, try extinguishing the fire. Prior to extinguishing the fire, let’s first learn the types of fire.
- Class A: Solid combustibles like wood, paper, fabric
- Class B: Gases & liquids like ethanol, grease
- Class C: Electrical fire like electrical appliances, wiring
- Class D: Combustible metals like titanium, steel, iron
- Class E: Cooking fire
Select adequate extinguishing material as per the fire type; generally, a powder fire extinguisher is suitable for all fires. However, it is recommended to opt for a fire extinguisher only if you are a trained professional and the fire is spread in an area of 10 sq. ft. That said, if you do not have a fire extinguisher at home, browse through these fire extinguishers available for sale in the UAE and buy an extinguisher as per your budget.
Step 3: Evacuate the House
If the fire has spread more than the recommended area, it is ideal to implement the discussed evacuation plan. However, if the smoke starts to fill in, rather than the planned exit, opt for the nearest exit, which can be a window, door or emergency exit.
First, check for the floor temperature and doors (if any) present in the way of exit. Smokes and fumes are hot and float upwards. Therefore, get down on your knees and crawl instead of walking. Moreover, take a piece of cloth and cover your nose to avoid smoke inhalation. If you are unable to find any clothes, use the shirt or scarf that you are wearing.
Step 4: Call for Help
After evacuating safely, dial 997 to seek help from the fire department. Also, inform all your neighbours about the fire and ask them to evacuate in case the fire spreads to their houses. Make sure to maintain a safe distance, at least 10 to 15 feet away from the house.
If You Are Trapped Inside
In certain cases, the fire spread towards the exit and made it difficult to evacuate. In this situation, avoid exiting from the main door and look for other exit points. If you are on the ground floor, open or break a window, throw some bedding and jump from the window. Before jumping, lower your arms from the window and then jump to minimise the impact.
For people trapped above the ground floor, find a room away from the fire source. Cover the cracks and openings of the door using a wet blanket, towel or any other fabric. Make sure to damp it properly to prevent it from catching fire. Now, open the window and ask for help, wave a cloth and try to grab firefighters’ attention.
If your clothes catch fire during evacuation, stop immediately and roll down on the floor; remember the rule: stop, drop and roll. While rolling, cover your face with your hand and maintain distance from other people. This is why, training on what to do in case of fire is necessary for everyone.
What to Do After Fire at Your Property
The first thing to do after a fire accident is to check for the casualties (if any) or the injured people. Next, check for the damages caused by the fire accident and list down all the objects. If you have home insurance, inform the insurer and follow the process to file a claim.
Next, residents affected by the fire incident will have to move out into temporary residences until the insurer clears the claim. Tenants, however, are responsible for arranging the residence for themselves. Moreover, owners are not responsible for compensating tenants for the damages, it will be covered by tenants’ home insurance.
If someone gets injured on your property, a visitor or working staff after a fire accident, you will be responsible for compensating them.
What to Do When Witness a House on Fire
The first thing to do when witnessing a house fire is to call the fire department for help immediately. Do not try to evacuate people yourself, as it can be hazardous. If your neighbour’s house is on fire, turn on the garden hose and water the area between the houses to prevent the fire from spreading.
If there are no empty spaces between the houses, evacuate immediately and inform other neighbours too.
Fire Safety Essentials at Home
Now that you are aware of what to do in case of fire in a building let’s move towards some essential fire safety items that must be present at home.
Fire Extinguisher
Different types of fire extinguishers are available in the market that homeowners can opt for. The powder fire extinguisher is effective in extinguishing all types of fire. Aside from purchasing, its regular maintenance is also necessary.
Fire Blanket
A fire blanket is a fire-resistant fabric that can be used to starve fires and save residents’ lives. You can browse through these business & industrial products for sale in the UAE and buy a fire blanket.
Skysaver
The Skysaver is a rescue device that contains rope and pulley, allowing citizens to climb down high-rise buildings conveniently. Generally, it allows residents to climb down 80 metres.
Baking Soda
Baking soda can be used to extinguish kitchen and electrical fires. Place a bucket filled with baking soda in the kitchen to use in case of emergency.
Emergency Bag
It is suggested to keep an emergency bag containing medications, spare clothes and a torch light that will be helpful while evacuating the house.
Aside from these essential items, it is also necessary to take safety precautions and prevent fire incidents. Here are some fire safety tips for apartments that you can follow.
FAQs
What to do after a house fire starts?
The first step is to alert all the residents and try to extinguish the fire if it is under control. However, if the fire is uncontrollable, it is recommended that the house be evacuated immediately.
What is the fine for purposely starting a fire in Dubai?
Residents starting fires with the intention to damage the property on purpose can be fined up to AED 10,000.
What should I do if my clothes catch fire?
If your clothes catch fire, remember the thumb rule: stop, drop and roll the body.
These were all the steps to take in case of a house fire in the UAE. The major culprit of house fires is the old wiring, which is prone to short circuits, increasing the risk of fire. That said when planning to rent or buy a property for sale in the UAE, make sure it is well-maintained and has an adequate wiring system.
Besides, here are some signs of major electrical problems in your home that can result in a house fire.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s property blog for more tips for UAE residents in case of a fire.
