I know how crazy these times may seem, amidst COVID19, the Abule-Ado pipeline explosion, Dollar shooting up and generally the unrest in the country. Hey do keep calm, be sure to guard your mental health and stay positive, you’ve got this. Prior to this post, I had a totally different direction for today’s blog and with everything going on, I felt there is a need to discuss with you various tips on what to do in the event of a fire. Nobody wishes for it but peradventure it occurs is important to be prepared. From this week’s unfortunate event I realized a lot of us do not fully understand what to do when any type of fire outbreak occurs. So I created a before, during and after simple tips that you could easily remember.

BEFORE (Precautions you should take)

  • It is important to Document your possessions For the purposes of potentially claiming on your home, certificates and other important documents, it’s by no means a terrible idea to keep receipts or take digital photos of all important documents. Save them on your mobile device and on a cloud. Obviously, this precaution isn’t fire-specific. You may well thank yourself for having done so if you get burgled, for example.
  • Forewarned is forearmed Establish a family emergency communications plan and ensure that all household members know who to contact if they cannot find one another. Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year. Press the smoke alarm test button or yell “Fire” to alert everyone that they must get out. Fitting smoke detectors to each floor of your house is a good way to raise the alarm in the early stages of a fire. If you do this, be sure to regularly check that they work and the batteries are functioning. It is not just an “abroad” thing to do but a very important lifesaving hack you need to jump on.
  • Take care in the kitchen Fires in the home most commonly begin in the kitchen, usually from the heat given off in cooking or leaking gas. To this end, one should never leave things cooking on a flame unattended or sleep without ensuring your gas is locked and also fixing or replacing any faulty part of a gas cylinder. It is wise for households to have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket located in the kitchen.
  • No smoke without fire If you do smoke in the house, it will accordingly increase the risk of being involved in a house fire at some point. So be sure that anything you smoke is properly stubbed out when finished. Plus it’s best to avoid smoking when very tired, as it is commonplace for fires to begin when people fall asleep whilst still smoking. Certainly, avoid smoking in bed.
  • Do a bedtime check I remember while growing, I always wondered why my dad kept roaming around the house after light out, it didn’t just make sense to me then. Right now it makes so much sense because fire presents a greater risk when you’re asleep so check every room in the house for appliances left on, candles left lit and suchlike before going to bed.

DURING: (Get out!)

  • Have a plan, and stick to it when the fire alarm sounds, workplaces insist that you get straight out without stopping to salvage anything, get you to a safe organized place and take a roll call and with good reason. If the detect smoke or perhaps fire in your house, then you should gather everyone in the house together, exit via the quickest escape route, and call fire emergency or check responders list in the Kasala app. The biggest mistake you can make in the event of a fire is to go and face fire while it is at its peak. It is possible for people in these situations to open the door to a burning room, which may then cause the fire to spread quicker, or trap them from the rest of their family.
  • • Don’t go back! Too often, people return to the house to try and save pets or possessions. Unless pets cannot escape due to being in a cage or suchlike, then they almost always do without human assistance. And possessions can be recovered when there is life. None of these things are worth endangering your life by returning to ablaze.
  • If your clothes catch on fire Stop what you’re doing, drop to the ground and cover your face if you can then roll over and over or back and forth until the flames go out. Running will only make the fire burn faster. Once the flames are out, cool the burned skin with water for three to five minutes. Call for medical attention.
  • When you don’t own the space If you are the occupier, contact your real estate agent or landlord and inform them of the fire. If you cannot contact them and you need professional assistance in boarding the premises, check Kasalaapp Responders for help.

AFTER: (Damage limitation)

  • Safety first if you suffer from respiratory problems or feel unwell after a fire, go straight to see your doctor or the nearest hospital.
  • Returning to the scene it is advisable not to re-enter your home after a house fire until you are told by trained professionals that it is safe to do so. Remember even when it has been declared safe, there may still be broken glass and sharp objects exposedso be extremely careful.
  • Protect the build if it’s safe to stay some distance away from the fire site, ensure you prevent the building from any further damage by weather, theft or vandalism. Do not leave the site unsecured.
  • Don’t not savage edibles food, drink, and medicines exposed to heat, smoke or soot may be discarded in the appropriate manner. Has it may be hazardous to your health when consumed.