First Aid: What to Save in a Fire Emergency

Having an evacuation plan is crucial in the face of a fire emergency. No matter who is in the house, the first things to consider should always be the safety of all occupants and their immediate needs. Fire safety experts highlight the importance of quick and decisive actions to ensure everyone's survival in the first moments of a fire outbreak.

What Not to Take in a Fire

When a fire breaks out in your room, the top priority should be staying safe and getting out of the house as quickly as possible. Do not waste time looking for belongings or taking anything with you. Smoke inhalation can be fatal, and the time to delay can be the difference between life and death.

Essential First Aid Actions

Consider the experiences of a home evacuation expert, who prioritizes the safety of their family and pets above all other possessions.

Family and Pets First: In a fire, your loved ones come first. The expert mentions prioritizing the safety of their family and pets. 'My family members followed by pets.' This shows the emphasis on human life over possessions.

Valuable Documents and Personal Items: While the family and pets' safety is the most important, securing some important documents and replacing them later is a secondary priority. 'If I couldn’t I would be perfectly happy with the family and pets. I’d still own the lot and I’d be heavily involved in the rebuild.' This emphasizes the importance of restoring the house and personal property after the safety of everyone.

The Safety of You

It is crucial to start with saving yourself. 'The first thing I would save… Myself.' If you cannot save yourself and end up getting killed, you will face significant challenges finding and preserving your other possessions.

Valuable Belongings: Once you ensure your safety, the next step is to focus on saving important items. 'My photo albums that are in a coffee table right by my front door. Before that My cat. Some beautiful artwork that cannot be replaced.' These items are irreplaceable and should be a priority during a fire.

Additional Items to Save

Important Documents: Always have a backup of important documents. 'This computer I don’t trust the cloud. I have an envelope that has all of our important papers in it close to the door too.' Storing such documents in a secure place can help in the rebuild process.

Safety and Comfort: Being prepared and having basic necessities ready can make a significant difference. 'I often sleep in my clothes. I am terrified of fire and I never want to be standing outside in my underwear with a blanket around me watching my house burn.' Ensuring that you are fully dressed and comfortable is a priority during a fire.

These actions and preparations can significantly improve the safety and preparedness in the face of a fire emergency. Always prioritize the safety of people over any material possessions. Lives are irreplaceable, and they should always come first.