When a fire breaks out in a building, it can be a very stressful and upsetting scenario that affects our ability to think clearly about what to do and not what to do.

We have listed the three most important things you should not do in a building fire and what you should do instead:

1. Don’t use the elevators or lifts.
It could be tempting to use the elevator as it appears to be the quickest way to extricate yourself from danger. However, doing so can really be risky, as the elevator might be short-circuited by fire damage at any time, which would cause the doors to open and close immediately. You can also be trapped inside the elevator if power is lost. The elevators can also quickly be filled with smoke, causing anyone inside to suffocate. As such, better to use the stairs to be safe.

2. Don’t dare enter a building that’s on fire; wait for emergency services.
Try to rescue others only if you can do so safely. You may think that you have time to salvage a few things or belongings but it can take just 5 minutes or so for a building to become engulfed in flames. Remember that lost items are replaceable and nothing is worth more than your life. In addition, move away from the path of the fire brigade and get out of the building. Never go back inside the building until the fire authorities say it is safe to do so.

3. Don’t open the doors if they feel warm or hot.
Doors that are very hot to the touch, or have smoke billowing through the cracks will more than likely have a fire on the other side. This indicates that rather than allowing the fire to spread, the door is actually containing it. If you come across a door that you feel is secure, open it but always do so with caution because of the potential danger on the other side of the door.

It might be challenging to remain calm when faced with such a frightening scenario. However, if you know what to do and are well-prepared, it shouldn’t be much of a problem to save yourself from a difficult situation.