Emergency advice

If you’re leaving a burning building:

  1. Activate the first alarm you see and help others to evacuate.
  2. Close doors behind you.
  3. Follow evacuation procedure or follow escape route signs. 

If someone’s clothing is on fire:

  1. Stop the casualty from moving.
  2. Drop them to the floor and wrap in a fire blanket or heavy fabric.
  3. Roll them along the ground until the flames go out. 

If there’s smoke and fumes:

  1. Go to front of the building and close the door.
  2. Block any gaps under doors, open the window and shout for help.
  3. Stay low – air at floor level is clearest.
  4. Check your landing point if escaping from a high window. Climb out backwards, feet first.

Fires spread very quickly, so the first priority is to warn others around you. If you’re in a building and it doesn’t delay your escape, then press the nearest fire alarm and call 999 or 112 for emergency help. If it delays you, make the call when you’ve left the building. Try to keep everyone calm and assist people to evacuate as quickly as possible.

What to do when leaving a burning building

  1. Activate the first fire alarm you see and try to help others to evacuate the building.  

  2. Close doors behind you to help prevent the fire from spreading. 

  3. Follow the evacuation procedure if you’re at your workplace or follow the escape route signs if you’re a visitor.

    • Listen to instructions given by the Fire Marshal.

What to do if there’s clothing on fire

If someone’s clothing is on fire, use the following steps: Stop, Drop and Roll.

  1. Stop the casualty from panicking and moving around as any movement will increase the flames.  

  2. Drop the casualty onto the ground and wrap him in a fire blanket or heavy fabric such as a coat or blanket.  

  3. Roll the casualty along the ground until the flames have been put out.

What to do if there’s smoke and fumes

Fires in a confined space create a highly dangerous atmosphere which is low in oxygen and high in toxic fumes like carbon monoxide.

  1. If you’re trapped in a burning building, try and go to the front of the building and close the door.

    • Block any gaps underneath doors using rugs or heavy fabric.
    • Open the window and shout for help.
  2. Stay low if you’re in or have to go through a smoke filled room. The air at floor level is clearest.

  3. If you escape through a high window, make sure there is somewhere for you to land before you climb out backwards with your feet first.

Browse our first aid and health and safety products:

Fire extinguishers, stands and accessories

Fire extinguishers, stands and accessories

Shop now


Burn first aid kits

Burn first aid kits

Shop now


Our training courses:

Fire, health & safety courses

Fire, health and safety courses

View


Related first aid advice

How to handle difficult first aid situations

When responding to an emergency, it is important to recognise the emotional and physical needs of everyone involved, including your own.

Who should I call?

At some point in their life, most people will witness or be involved in an accident or medical emergency. Knowing what to do and when you should call the emergency services can potentially save lives.

How to manage a traffic accident

Traffic accidents can range between minor incidents such as a bicycle crash or much more serious incidents like a vehicle crash. Find out what to do.

St John Ambulance volunteers providing support