Would You Know How to Survive?

Volume 4 Issue 43

June 2005

With the exception of the occupant of the burning unit and his immediate neighbors, the other occupants of the building would have been safe remaining in their units. Many residents though rushed into hallways and stairwells. Some residents propped open stairwell doors, not knowing they were a non-locking style.

Do you live in a high rise building?

Do you work in a multi story structure?

Do you know what to do if a fire strikes?

What you know can save your life. Here are some of things you need to know to survive such a situation.

• Know at least 2 ways out and the location of the 2 exits/stairwells on either side of your apartment. Elevators will not be working in the event of a fire. That is good as if you tried using an elevator during a fire; a malfunction in the elevator electronics could place you right in the middle of the fire instead of safely on the ground floor.
• Before trying to leave be sure the way you go out is safe. Feel the door with the back of your hand. If it is hot, do not open. If cool, open slowly and be prepared to close it if there is fire on the other side.
• If all exit doors are hot, you will be better where you are.
• If trapped in a room, seal any cracks around your door with wet towels to keep the smoke out. Hang a sheet out of your window to alert the fire department if you are trapped or use your cell phone to call the fire department to tell firefighters where you are. Building phones will likely be knocked out by the fire so your cell phone is the fastest way to get help.
• Keep low or crawl through smoke, the cleanest air and best visibility will be near the floor.
• Know where you are in a strange building. Buildings codes require fire safety maps by stairways and elevators. Take the time to carefully study the one by where you are or will be. You may look a bit strange for studying such maps but if a fire strikes, you will be a hero for knowing the way out.

What you know can save your life and the lives of others in a high rise fire.

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