Crisis-Ready Society
Scenarios / Health, home & road

Home fire

A house or flat fire can fill rooms with smoke in moments, leaving little time to escape. This page helps your family prevent fires, get out safely and recover afterwards.

Sensible basic preparation
In the UAEIn the UAE call Civil Defence on 997, walk calmly to marked exits and avoid lifts.[2]

Before

  • Fit smoke alarms on every level of your home and never disable one while cooking.[1]
  • Make a fire escape plan with two exits from every room and practise it twice a year.[1]
  • Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and learn how to use it.[1]
  • Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food.[1]
  • Replace damaged cords and never run cables under rugs or furniture.[1]
  • Lock matches and lighters away from children and teach them not to hide from firefighters.[1]
  • Sleep with bedroom doors closed.[1]
  • Save digital copies of important documents.[1]

During

  • Get out immediately and leave belongings behind.[2]
  • Stay low and crawl under smoke towards your exit.[1]
  • Feel doors before opening; if hot or smoky, keep it shut and use another exit.[1]
  • Close doors behind you and never use lifts.[2]
  • If you cannot reach someone who needs help, get out and call the fire service.[1]
  • If trapped, shut the door, seal gaps with cloth, call for help and signal from a window.[1]
  • If clothes catch fire, stop, drop, cover your face and roll until the flames are out, then cool the burn with cool water.[1]

After

  • Do not go back inside until fire officials say it is safe.[2]
  • Leave utilities for professionals to reconnect.[1]
  • Contact a relief service such as the Red Cross for shelter, food and medicine.[1]
  • List and photograph damaged items before throwing anything away.[1]
  • Keep receipts for fire related costs for insurance claims.[1]
  • Tell your insurer and mortgage lender about the fire.[1]

Watch: 60-second guides

Make a fire escape plan in 60 seconds

Videos need an internet connection. Some videos mention numbers for other countries: in the UAE call 999 police, 998 ambulance, 997 fire. More on our YouTube channel.

Official sources

  1. Ready.gov (FEMA): Home Fires
  2. UAE Government Portal (u.ae): Handling emergencies

Steps are written in our own words from these pages. If advice from your local authority differs, follow your local authority.

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