Surviving a Fire: Plan, Talk and Act

Fires can break out any time, any place even schools and work places. Smoke alarms and water sprinklers can do good jobs to alert people but schools especially need to have an emergency evacuation plan in case fires do break out.

This plan involves two very important details: information and delegation. Individuals should familiarize themselves by noting where the exits are and read the manual that should be provided. In each classroom, there should be a fire exit poster near the door and perhaps a light sign showing which way to go in case of thick smoke.

Fire matters need to be conversed between staff and faculty. It should be done in case there are any concerns or recommended improvements. When a plan has been devised, it is then that the information be relayed to students and to parents.

No matter how hard you pressure the situation to people, some just do not take it seriously. Telling them it could mean the difference between life and death may be the only way to convince them. This is truly upsetting for those who take the subject to heart.

Schools do carry out drills once a year. However, when they aren’t done on regular basis, kids and faculty are likely to panic during the real emergency. This can lead to injuries and possible fatalities. Being prepared is important to everyone’s safety.

Should a child find the fire, it is imperative they hand over the responsibility of the evacuation to an adult so an immediate evacuation can begin. Should the fire be contained in a room, no one should open the door. Doing so can cause a back draft, making the fire much stronger, creating an atmosphere for an explosion.

Whether it is a child or adult, the fire alarm should be pulled and 911 called. The alarm will alert students and teachers. The faculty and staff will then direct the students toward the exits away from the fire, usually in a single line.

Fire extinguishers should be placed strategically in the hallways, classrooms and offices of the buildings. They are adept to handle the small fires but no larger ones. A person who is risking his life trying to put out the fire should not play hero if the fire is too big. Instead, getting people out of the building should be the priority.

Fire creates a suffocating blanket of smoke, which can confuse a person to which way to go to. For this reason, a person should have a piece of cloth or clothing over the face and use the hands to feel their way out.

Should the school be two or more stories tall, use the stairs to get out. Elevators are dangerous during fires because it can cause a short in the electrical system, trapping people inside, which can lead to smoke inhalation deaths.

Sometimes there is an instance where someone catches on fire. Should this be the case, place a heavy blanket over them. The person should do the stop, drop and roll lesson to extinguish the fire.
It is important that a place be designated to accumulate everyone at. By doing this can immediately determine if everyone has been counted and not trapped inside. Fire department officials will make the call if the building is safe to go back into.

School officials, parents and students need to be made aware of the fire emergency evacuation and preparation plans that way of the unthinkable does happen, it can go smoothly and quickly without a single death or injury.