GOOD Home is a biweekly column published in partnership with PuroClean of Wilton | Ridgefield about home safety, maintenance, weather preparedness, and damage prevention, with the goal of saving homeowners from the hassle and headaches of severe property damage. Located in south Wilton (24 Danbury Rd., Suite 204), PuroClean provides 24/7 water damage remediation, fire and smoke restoration, and mold and biohazard removal services to the Fairfield County community and across southwest CT and Northeastern Westchester County.

Raging flames rip through your home — a terrifying sight we at PuroClean of Wilton | Ridgefield hope you never have to experience. But the reality is that thousands of residential fires occur in the U.S. every year, with over 326,000 last year alone! The causes vary from cooking accidents (number one) to heaters, cigarettes, washers and dryers, BBQ grills, candles, and more. Here are tips to escape a fire if one ever occurs in your Fairfield or Westchester County home or business:

  • Use a fire extinguisher only on small fires in their early stages when it’s safe to do so. Don’t attempt to extinguish a fire if it puts your safety at risk, as fires can quickly grow in size and intensity, blocking escape routes and creating a dangerous atmosphere.
  • Scream to alert others in the house. Don’t rely on smoke alarms alone to warn others. They can malfunction or have low batteries. Get yourself and your family members out as quickly as possible.
  • Follow your fire escape plan and the fire drills you practiced. Take the safest escape route, stay low to avoid smoke and fumes, and cover your nose with a shirt or damp towel.
  • Don’t waste time picking up valuables. It usually takes a fire less than 30 seconds to get out of control. Seconds can mean the difference between life and death. Most valuables are replaceable. You’re not.
  • If smoke is coming through cracks or under a door, don’t open it. Touch the back of your hand to the door and doorknob to test for heat. If there is, find another way out (door or window) to avoid flames and smoke on the other side. Never sleep in a room without more than one means of escape.
  • If you can open a door but heat and smoke pour in, quickly close the door and stay in the room. If you can open it safely, stay low and follow your escape route. Close doors behind you to prevent the fire from spreading.
  • If there’s no safe exit (for example, from an upper story), stay in the room and seal the door and air vents with sheets or duct tape to prevent smoke from entering. Then call 9-1-1, open a window, and yell for help. Wave a bright cloth or use a light to signal firefighters. Avoid hiding under a bed or in a closet as it hinders firefighters from locating you.
  • If your clothes catch fire, remember to “stop, drop, and roll” to smother the flames. Cover your face with your hands while doing so.
  • Do not use elevators. If the power goes out, you could be trapped inside an elevator. A fire could turn an elevator into an oven you can’t escape. Always use the stairs.
  • Once you exit, go to the designated meeting spot and remain there. Do not go back into a burning building at any time. Let firefighters do their job. They have the necessary training and equipment to save people and property.

If you’re dealing with fire, smoke, or water damage from a recent fire in your Fairfield or Westchester County home or business, the experienced team at PuroClean of Wilton | Ridgefield is ready to respond. We’re prepared for all the challenges a fire brings, and since we’re your neighbors we can act quickly. To learn more, visit our website or call us at 475.277.2400 to connect with us, your local PuroClean office.