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8.6 Disaster Specific Family Preparedness Measures
8.6.1 Fires
Section VIII : NGOs and Voluntary Agencies
[In addition to what has been listed under family preparedness as a generic response, fire accidents demand
specific preparedness and responses. Given below are the preparedness measures and responses which are
specific to fire accidents].
Fire spreads quickly; there is no time to grab valuables or inform administration. Heat and
smoke are even more dangerous than the flames; inhaling the super-hot air can sear the lungs.
Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Instead of being
awakened by a fire, it may induce a deeper sleep.
In case of fire know what to do, how to escape, how to safeguard the occupants. Have a plan.
8.6.1.1 Fire safety tips
• Teach family members to stay low to the floor (where the air is safer in a fire) when
escaping from a fire.
8.6.1.2 What to do during a fire
• Use water to put out small fires. Do not try to put out a fire that is getting out of control.
Call the fire department. Make sure everyone knows how to call the fire department.
• Never use water on an electrical fire.
• Smother oil and grease fires in the kitchen with baking soda or salt, or put a lid over the
flame if it is burning in a pan.
• If the clothes catch on fire, the person should stop, drop and roll until the fire is
extinguished. Running only makes the fire burn faster. Those assisting should pour water
and not try to control it with bare hands.
• Feel for heat near the top of the door before opening. If it's hot, don't open it unless it is
an escape route. In such a case Feel the bottom of the door with the palm of your hand
before opening it. If the door is cool, leave immediately. Be prepared to crawl. Smoke
and heat rise, and the air is clearer and cooler near the floor. If the door is hot, escape
through a window. If escape is not possible, signal and call out for help, alerting the fire
fighters.
• Close doors of the rooms on fire. It will hold back the fire and keep out poisonous smoke
until help arrives.
• If escape is not possible, stay near the floor, where the air is better. If all doors are
closed, open a window for air. If possible, stuff wet rags around doors to hold back
smoke and heat.
Jalna District Disaster Response Plan Vol II - 154