What to do if there is a fire in your home
You should follow your escape plan and get out immediately. You should:
- alert everyone in your home: get together and take your planned route out
- meet at your agreed point
- leave valuables and pets
- feel doors before opening: if warm, don't open them as the fire is on the other side
- shut all doors behind you on the way out
- never use lifts
- stay outside: don't go back in to rescue pets or valuables
- call 999 immediately and wave down the fire engines when they arrive
If your clothes are on fire
If your clothes are on fire, you should 'stop, drop and roll':
- stop: don't run, as your clothes will burn faster
- drop: lie down. This makes it harder for the fire to spread, especially to your face and head (flames burn upwards)
- roll: this smothers the flames. You can also use heavy material like a coat or blanket to smother flames
Fires in high-rise flats
High-rise flats are built to be fireproof. Most fires don’t spread further than one or two rooms.
If there is a fire in another flat in your building, stay in your own flat, unless you’re affected by the heat or smoke, or if the fire is next door or directly below you.
You're not at any more risk from fire if you live in a high-rise flat, but you should read the safety leaflet which explains what to do if there is a fire in your high-rise building.
Download our high-rise fire safety leaflet (size 1.72mb)
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