Fire! - how to save your family in an emergency.

Act quickly - remember that most fires can be smothered before getting out of control - but do not waste valuable time trying to extinguish it yourself if it seems likely to spread. Call 999 (or 911) and be sure to give clearly the address where the fire has occurred. In town areas the Fire Brigade can get to the scene of a fire within a very few minutes, so do not hesitate to call it out in an emergency; its services exist for these reasons.

MINOR outbreaks : Follow these general rules :

1. If you have no fire extinguisher, Smother the flames with a wool rug, a wet sack or - provided the blaze has not been caused by electricity or flammable liquids - a bucket of water used with as much force as possible. Fat that catches fire in a pan can be covered with a large saucepan lid or a damp table cloth; turn off the gas or electricity at once.

2. Before using water on a fire caused by electricity, switch off the electric current.

3. shut the doors and windows in order to prevent the flames spreading.

4. If the fire is not immediately brought under control, deal with it as for a major blaze (below).
Clothing on fire: Roll the victim in a
wool rug or blanket and make him lie
down.


MAJOR outbreak Memorize these important rules :
1. Shut the room conceded and get everybody else out of the house.

2. Leave the house, closing all doors behind you.

3. Call the Fire Brigade.

4. If you are caught in an upstairs room and you know that someone else has called the Fire Brigade, wait as long as possible for rescue. If you are unable to summon help, think of some means of lowering yourself from the window, for example, by making a rope of sheets or other strong material. lf it becomes necessary to drop to the ground, try first to throw out something which will break your fall, such as a mattress, pillows or blankets.