Both house fires and wildfires produce poisonous gases that cause disorientation and drowsiness.
How to Prepare for a Fire
- See Get A Kit and Make A Plan for general information
- Know the location of a fire blanket if you are unable to stop, drop, and roll
- Have at least two working smoke alarms; test them monthly
- Smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are available for the deaf or hard of hearing
- Smoke alarms with a strobe light outside the house to catch the attention of neighbors and emergency call systems for summoning help are also available
- If you have a mobility disability, arrange to sleep on the first floor of a multi-story home so you may escape fasters
- If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to make sure you can get through doorways
- Clean out storage areas; do not let trash accumulate
- Install fire extinguishers in your home
How to Respond to a House Fire
- If you or your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop, and roll or use a fire blanket
- If you are escaping through a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the door before you open it and never use the palm of your hand or fingers to test for heat
- Hot door: do not open
- Cool door: open slowly and make sure fire and/or smoke is not blocking your escape route
- Stay low under any smoke to your exit; heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling
- Close doors behind you as you escape to delay the spread of the fire
- If you cannot get out safely:
- Close all doors between you and the fire and smoke
- Stuff cracks around doors and cover all vents to keep smoke out
- Call 9-1-1, report the fire, and tell them exactly where you are trapped
- While waiting for rescuers, signal from a window, if possible, by waving a light-colored cloth
- Stay out once you are safely out
- Assemble at your family's meeting location
- Call 9-1-1
How to Respond to a Wildfire
- Follow evacuation orders; use your plan for safe evacuation