Algorithm of actions in case of fire

March 16, 2022

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

The behavior in case of ignition or detection of a 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 Ministry of Emergency Situations duty service by phone number "101", "112" as quickly as possible 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 one 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 flames have already spread and the intervention of professional rescuers is necessary, then you should call the number "101" as quickly as possible and leave the room, apartment, building as quickly as possible via the shortest and safest route. The most important thing is to try to quickly assess the situation and the degree of danger to yourself, to the residents of your apartment, to the neighbors on the staircase. This is a difficult task even for an adult, given the unusual situation that a person finds themselves in during a fire. Some elementary knowledge should help here.

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

Upon detecting a fire, it is necessary to immediately call the Ministry of Emergency Situations rescuers by phone number "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 exactly is burning: TV, furniture, car;

The dispatcher will ask you to specify: the house number, entrance, apartment number, on

what floor is on fire, where is the most convenient access point, the entrance code, 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 this! While you are reporting the fire, rescue units are already on alert and heading to the scene (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 spend rushing around your apartment or the entrance, firefighters would have already managed to arrive, begin extinguishing 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 cannot extinguish it immediately on your own, call the MES duty service without delay. In this case, it is better to be safe 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 to save 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, corners, etc.;

6. Try 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, or downspouts from floors above the third;

9. Open windows and doors (this increases draft and intensifies burning);

10. Jump out of windows on upper floors;

11. Panic.

The procedure for actions in various emergency situations 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".