Do you live in an apartment and a fire breaks out in your building? Discover the very surprising reflex, recommended by a firefighter, which will guarantee your safety.
In the event of an emergency, such as the spread of a fire in a building, the smallest decision can be vital. It is therefore essential to be well informed before acting. And if we all have the reflex of wanting to flee the scene at the slightest alarm, this is not always what we should do, because everything depends on the location of the fire. Discover the counterintuitive, but crucial, reaction recommended by a firefighter when a fire breaks out in an apartment. This could well save you from the worst.
Indeed, several scenarios can be expected in the event of a fire in a building: the fire can break out above your apartment, below your apartment or even in your apartment. For each of these situations, the fire can evolve in different ways, which is why it is essential to adopt the right actions accordingly. According to Aslak Rouaze, firefighter in Rennes, a common reaction to these various scenarios turns out to be fundamental: stay at home if the smoke spreads outside.
Indeed, “in the event of a fire, if the smoke is in the corridor outside your apartment, stay at home”, the expert tells us. “The closed entrance door will allow the fire to be contained long enough to allow firefighters to arrive”. He pursues : “Never try to evacuate using a smoky corridor. The risk of seriously intoxicating yourself with the smoke is too great. When the firefighters arrive, make your presence known at a window.” You can also block the passage of smoke under the doors with wet towels; the fire will lack air and will likely suffocate on its own.
On the other hand, in the event that a fire breaks out at your home and the common areas are not completely smoked, “you can try to turn it off without taking any risks. If it is not turned off, leave the accommodation by closing the front door without locking it. Do not take the elevator and never retrace your steps “, explains Aslak Rouaze. “Conversely, if the fire does not allow you to leave the apartment, it is important to get away from the fire by closing the doors and taking refuge in a room that has a window”, specifies Javi González, a Spanish firefighter. Once again, make your presence known to the firefighters quickly so that they can come and pick you up as soon as possible. A vital protocol, to share.