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How to Act in an Emergency
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Prior preparation and correct behavior make the difference between a localized fire and a disastrous event.
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Table of contents
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The Danger
Fire is created when combustible materials, heat and oxygen come together. A fire both uncontrolled and unsupervised easily develops into a large fire. Fires pose a direct threat to the human body: damages are inflicted by the fire and the heat. There are also indirect threats in the side effects of a fire (smoke inhalation and asphyxiation, building collapse as the heat melts the foundations).
A fire might be its own emergency or the result of another emergency (an earthquake, a hazardous materials event, etc.).
How to Prepare
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Keep a clean and neat house. This will prevent a fire from spreading and make controlling it easier.
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Remove sources of heat (such as heaters, ovens, lamps, etc.) from flammables and combustibles (furniture, drapes and curtains, etc.).
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Avoid plugging a number of appliances into the same electrical receptacle sitting in one outlet.
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Ahead of time, plan escape routes in case of a fire. Make sure that these are free of dangers and flammables.
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Avoid keeping flammable liquids and similar materials in your home. As noted, when it is necessary to keep flammables, these must be stored in a secure place, far from sources of heat.
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Ahead of time, prepare the means to put out a fire: It is recommended that every home have a fire extinguisher (such as a 3 kg. dry powder fire extinguisher) and a water hose that can be accessed and used quickly when needed. Fire extinguishing equipment should be placed near the exit, and family members should learn how to use them.
How to Identify a Fire
A fire will present as burning flames or as flames consuming objects in the area. Usually, it is possible to identify a fire in another room or in a hidden place by a burnt smell and sudden heat.
How to Behave in a Fire
If a fire has broken out, act calmly, rationally and based on an assessment of the situation. First summon fire and rescue personnel (dial 102 on your phone).
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Call fire and rescue personnel as soon as you can (102 from any phone).
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Try to put the fire out as soon as you discover it, using the means at your disposal (fire extinguisher, water hose, buckets of water, wet rags, or any other appropriate means).
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Be careful! Do not spray water at electrical equipment and electrical circuits.
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Move materials and equipment that may accelerate the fire or cause it to spread out of the area.
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If the fire has spread to the point you can no longer control it, leave the area, closing the door behind you. Inform the neighbors that they need to evacuate the building and to distance themselves from the fire. It is best to close all doors on your way out but not to lock them.
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In case you are trapped in your apartment and the smoke immediately beyond your location is too thick to allow you to leave: Stay where you are, seal all cracks in the door, and close all the windows. (These actions are meant to prevent smoke from entering both from the building itself and from the outside.)
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Check if one of the windows that faces out is completely smoke-free (i.e., no smoke is rising from below). If you find one, open it to allow fresh air in. It should be stressed that no window should be opened if there is a chance that smoke is coming towards it.
Try to make your location known right away.
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