Council and democracy

What to do in the event of your smoke alarm sounding

Five minutes spent reading the information on this page could make the difference between life and death. Nobody likes to think about fire, but it could happen to you. Spend a little time planning today and if fire starts in your home, you and your family will be better equipped to escape safely and quickly.

Raise the Alarm and Call 999

If your smoke alarm goes off in the middle of the night do not investigate to see if there is a fire. Instead the first thing you should do is shout to wake everyone up and follow your escape plan and get out.

Check closed doors with the back of your hand - if they are warm do not open them - the fire is on the other side. If there is a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor, where the air will be fresher.

If your escape route is blocked get everyone into one room and close the door. Put bedding or towels along the bottom of the door to seal the gap - smoke and fumes can kill people quickly so it is important to stop them getting into the room.

Open the window and stay near it for fresh air and to let the firefighters see you. Phone the fire service or shout for help so that someone else can phone for you.

Tackling Fire

There is no such thing as a safe fire. It is better for you to prevent fire than to fight it. Tackling fire is a job best left to the professional firefighters. You should only tackle a fire if it is in its early stages and you are completely sure you can put it out and stay safe.

Escaping From a Window

If you are on the ground or first floor you may be able to escape from a window. If you have to break the window, cover any jagged glass with towels or thick bedding and throw some more bedding out of the window to break your fall. Do not jump out of the window - lower yourself to arms length and drop to the ground.

If you have any children, or elderly or disabled people with you, plan the order in which you will escape so you can help them down.

Don't Go Back Into Your Home - Stay outside and wait for the fire service to arrive. Do not go back for anything.