How to escape in case of emergency fire

In the first aid training class for KOVA Corporation, alongside in-depth instructions on handling common life-threatening accidents and health emergencies in our daily lives, SSVN also focuses on fire evacuation skills for the participants:

– In the event of a fire, do not use elevators. Escape using the stairs. Avoid tying fabric together or using ropes to climb down, as it is highly dangerous. Emergency exit stairs must meet standards, be closed and self-closing, and prevent the spread of gas. People evacuating should do down one by one and close the door behind them to avoid congestion on the staircase.

– The main cause of death in fires is due to smoke inhalation, not necessarily the direct impact of the flames. Therefore, while moving, people should avoid crowding but crawl low to the ground as low as possible instead, as there will be a stream of oxygen below which help them avoid toxic fumes. If someone inhales toxic smoke, the first step is to bring them to a well-ventilated area. In the case of rescue teams arriving, they will provide the victims with oxygen.

️Watch the full share of expert Tony Coffey about the right fire escape skills here

– The most important thing in a fire is that everyone escapes as quickly as possible, rather than hesitating to search for towels or fabrics to wet. If the search takes too much time, it is not advisable because they only have 2-3 minutes to escape. For example, if it is their own house and they know where the towels are, wetting the towel helps prevent smoke from entering their nose, but it cannot protect against inhaling carbon monoxide or other toxic gases. Therefore, if they are still able to breathe, the towel cannot prevent them from inhaling toxic gases. For households with children, they should still find the quickest way to escape. For children, whose skin is more sensitive, find a towel or blanket to wrap them in, wet it if possible, or use a dry cloth to avoid burns while carrying them away.

– Prevention is the best approach because fire is very dangerous when it happens. It is crucial for families to have a pre-prepared evacuation plan, and all family members should be familiar with this plan and practice it several times so that if a fire occurs, the children know what to do and which exit route to take. An escape map is a must, and it can be posted on the refrigerator or emergency exit door for everyone’s reference.

– While we often secure our homes against burglaries very carefully, we should also consider whether there is a way for the children or parents to escape in the event of a fire. We should prioritize between protecting lives or assets and make the necessary arrangements, including providing access for neighbors if necessary, ensuring that all family members know the designated escape route.

– To prepare, families should have blankets to support in case of fire. The majority of house fires start in the kitchen. When fire is detected, cover the flames with the blanket which is quite affordable. Additionally, there should be fire extinguishers, which can be operated for up to 2 minutes. If the fire is not extinguished after using the first extinguisher, evacuate the area and use the second or third extinguisher if available.

– Smoke masks still have small holes, and toxic fumes can still be inhaled, leading to asphyxiation. They are expensive and not always effective, especially if users are slow or fail to crouch low while evacuating.

– Observe areas within the house that have a high risk of fire or explosions, such as the kitchen, rooms with many electrical devices or sockets, and areas with old wiring that should be replaced.

This April, SSVN has many useful events to help you and your family learn first aid skills:

SSVN hopes that corporates will focus on equipping their employees with first aid skills as soon as possible, so that they can calmly handle emergencies when they encounter urgent health problems for themselves and their loved ones.