Algorithm of actions in case of fire

February 18, 2022

Emergencies occur daily, and none of us are immune to them. They usually arise suddenly and require immediate active action from a person.

Behavior in case of ignition or detection of fire depends on the specific situation and the conditions of fire spread. However, in any case, one should not panic or lose self-control. You should call the EMERCOM duty service as soon as possible by dialing "101" or "112" and report the fire, and try to quickly assess the situation yourself and act depending on your age, skills, and abilities, without endangering your life. In most cases, when the ignition is detected in the very initial stage, it can be extinguished with literally a glass of water, or by covering it with a wet tablecloth, blanket, or any other dense non-synthetic material; if possible, use a fire extinguisher. But when the flame has already spread and the intervention of professional rescuers is necessary, then you should call "101" as soon as possible and leave the room, apartment, or building by the shortest and safest route as quickly as possible. The most important thing is to try to quickly assess the situation and the degree of danger to yourself personally, to the residents of your apartment, to your neighbors on the staircase. This is a difficult task even for an adult, given the unusualness of the situation that a person finds themselves in during a fire. Some elementary knowledge should help here.

What if a fire occurs in an apartment, entrance, or office?

Upon detecting a fire, it is necessary to immediately call EMERCOM rescuers by dialing "101" or "112" and provide the following information:

- the address where the ignition or fire is detected;

- the object where the fire is occurring: in the yard, in the apartment, in the entrance, in the office, etc.;

- what specifically is burning: a TV, furniture, a car;

The dispatcher will ask you to specify: the house number, entrance number, apartment number, the floor where the fire is, and the most convenient way to approach.

drive up, the code to enter the building, whether there is danger to people, etc., as well as your last name and phone number.

Speak clearly and calmly on the phone, without rushing.

Know! While you are reporting a fire, rescue units are already alerted and are proceeding to the scene of the call (all necessary information will be relayed to the rescuers by radio).

Remember! If you rely only on yourself, then in the 10-15 minutes you will be rushing around the apartment or building, firefighters would have already managed to arrive, begin to extinguish the fire and rescue people and property. Do not risk your life and the lives of your neighbors, call rescuers as quickly as possible. If you do not have a phone in your apartment, notify your neighbors and ask them to urgently call "101". If you discover a small fire, but could not extinguish it immediately on your own, call the MES duty service immediately. In this case, it is better to be safe than sorry and call professionals than to fight a growing fire yourself.

What should not be done in case of fire?

1. overestimate your strength and capabilities;

2. risk your life saving property;

3. attempt to extinguish a fire without first calling the fire department;

4. extinguish electrical appliances under voltage with water;

5. hide in closets, pantries, stuff yourself into corners, etc.;

6. attempt to exit through a smoke-filled stairwell (a wet cloth does not protect against carbon monoxide);

7. use the elevator;

8. descend using ropes, sheets, drainpipes from floors above the third;

9. open windows and doors (this increases draft and intensifies combustion);

10. jump out of windows on upper floors;

11. give in to panic.

The procedure for actions in any emergency situation can be found by any smartphone or tablet user in the "What to do?" section of the mobile application "MES of Belarus: Help is Nearby".