If you can't escape

• Get everyone into one room, preferably one with a window that opens and that has a phone in it. Close the door and wait to be rescued.
• Put bedding or towels along the bottom of the door to seal the gap, to prevent smoke and fumes from getting into the room.
• Open the window and stay near it for fresh air, and to alert firefighters when they arrive.
• If you have a phone, call the fire brigade. If you don’t have a phone, shout for help so that someone else can phone for you.

 

If you live in a flat or maisonette please follow this extra advice

• Flats and maisonettes are built to give you some protection from fire. Walls, floors and doors will hold back flames and smoke for a time.
• If there's a fire outside of your flat, in another part of the building, you're usually safer staying in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you.
• If there is a fire in your flat, leave the building closing the door to your flat behind you.
• If there is a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor where the air will be clearer.
• If you live in a building with a lift, do not use it if there is a fire, go down the stairs instead.
• Call 999 from any phone.
• Give them the address including the number of your flat, and tell them which floor the fire is on.

 

If your clothes catch fire

• Don’t run around – you’ll fan the flames and make them burn faster.
• Lie down and roll around to smother the flames.
• Smother the flames with heavy material like a coat, blanket or fire blanket.