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Fire Safety and Prevention: What to Do in the Event of a Fire

By: Marie Claire Lagrisola
What to Do in the Event of a Fire

Life is good and things are doing great. How can they not especially when you and your family have a lovely condo in laguna, specifically Valenza Mansions to call home? Waking up to an exquisite view of your Italian-inspired home, you immediately go to the kitchen to make some coffee and breakfast as great as the ambiance. Alas, while cooking some mouth-savoring pancakes, you are reminded that not everything is at your hands as the stove suddenly bursts into flames since you left it too long and a little bit too hot since you it took you quite a while to choose between bananas or strawberries to go with your pancakes (that IS a hard decision). Whatever to do now? Here is a guide on what to do when you’re faced with fire:

Here Are 12 Tips on What to Do in the Event of a Fire in Your Home:

The Cliche but the Golden Rule: Do Not Panic.

There is a good reason why this advice is always the first one being mentioned in such emergencies protocols. Panic leads to nothing but more chaos. It either causes your mind to blank or causes you to make rash and irrational decisions. You wouldn’t want that, would you? Especially when your family is in the line.

However, it is normal to have panic as your first immediate reaction. An effective way to immediately calm down yourself in order to take effective courses of action is to breathe. Not only because oxygen is literally decreasing from your surroundings and you need all the air you can get, but also because deep breathing, when done right and quite long enough, will clear your head and make you focus.

Use a Fire Extinguisher if You See Fit

Use a fire extinguisher if you see fit

If you see the fire can immediately be put out, use a fire extinguisher while your spouse or your child calls for help. Just be sure nothing is blocking or limiting your ability to reach it. Here are the steps you take in order to effectively douse a fire using a fire extinguisher:

Remember the PASS

  • Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
  • Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
  • Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
  • Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

Call/Yell for Your Family Members and Let Them Know About the Emergency

This is also another good way to calm down your nerves. Seeing your family will immediately make your paternal/maternal instinct take over your panic. Aside from that, of course, your beloveds need to know what is going on so that they may do the measures you guys have practiced during your fire safety drill. Additionally, keeping your eyes on your family will immediately ensure that all of you will get out of this emergency situation safely. Ring the alarm if necessary.

Use Your Pre-planned Escape Route to Get Everyone Out of the Building as Quickly as Possible

Use your pre-planned escape route to get everyone out of the building as quickly as possible

As mentioned earlier, you and your family need to do things according to what was planned. If the situation seems fit, do the things that were practiced and take the routes at your condo in Laguna you are familiar with so no more unwanted surprises may occur as well this is an effective and fast way to get you and your family to safety.

Stay Low to Breathe Easier

When you think fire is your only problem, think again. Smoke is another factor to think about. Smoke always rises so you must stay low or crawl in order to breathe cleaner air easier. Inhaling smoke will heavily damage your lungs and might cause you to pass out. Stay close to the ground if possible and avoid the smoke.

Do Not Stop to Collect Any Valuables or Possessions

It is tempting. Whether it may be your manuscript, your journal, or your laptop. But you must let them go. Remember, objects are replaceable but lives are not. Prioritize your life and your family’s and go to safety as fast as possible. We do remember all the horrible scenes in zombie or horror genre upcoming movies when a person becomes too greedy and takes tangible stuff instead of focusing on getting out of danger.

If It Is Possible, Close the Door to the Room Where the Fire Is Located

In order to delay the spread of fire and smoke, close all doors behind you as you leave. However, it needs to be stressed that you only do this if it totally convenient for you, after all, the first priority here is for you and your family to go to safety as immediately as you can.

If it is possible, close the door to the room where the fire is located

Take Caution Before Opening Closed Doors

Before turning the handle of closed doors, touch them with the back of your hand. If it feels warm, you definitely would not want to open that door for hot door handles indicate there is fire on the other side.

Do Not Use Escalators

Yes, perhaps this is more convenient and faster for you to go to safety. However it is tempting, you must absolutely not use escalators during a fire situation. There are many reasons to steer clear of an elevator during a fire, but a good primary reason is that a fire can short out the electrical system, causing you to become stuck between floors. To add, an elevator shaft acts like a chimney and can fill up with smoke quickly, putting you at risk of smoke inhalation.

Be Alert

Again, you need to stay focused. You cannot afford to stay put or be absentminded. Your children are counting on you. Look for signs, head towards the nearest fire exit, and look for the kind staff of your condo in laguna who are well-trained to deal with such things and can immediately call the fire department of your city.

Call For Help

Call for help

When you and your family reach a safe place, immediately call for the accomodating staff of your condo in laguna and/or the fire department. Lucky for you and your fellow tenants, you live in an accessible and convenient place such as Valenza Mansions, an upscale neighborhood that the Laguna Technopark Fire Station can immediately attend to since it is just a stretch away.

This also goes to show how location is really important. One should really take into account how near or fearful a particular place is from important sites such as the fire station and a hospital. If you live at a condo in laguna, specifically Valenza Mansions, you definitely do not need to worry about strategizing your location. Still it is important that you make sure to fire proof your home, especially during the summer.

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