Case of fire in a Furnished Apartment Rental
The fire is a serious disaster that can spread to nearby buildings. Be careful!
- 1 out of 4 fires are caused by electricity: do not overload a power line by connecting too many devices simultaneously.
- 1 out of 6 fires is due to smoking accidents: do not smoke in bed or empty an ashtray too quickly.
- 1 out of 8 fires starts in the kitchen: watch mainly frying pans and stoves.
What to do if a fire breaks out?
Do not panic!
If the start of fire comes from a neighbor’s home
- open all your windows,
- close the shutters,
- put buckets and basins full of water behind them,
- throw the water on it as soon as you see a sparkle of fire
If the fire starts in your own home
- A curtain begins to catch on fire: take a basin of water and water everything. A glass of water in the thirty seconds after a fire begins avoids the water cannon of a firefighter twenty minutes later!
- A wastebasket catches fire: jump with your feet together or put a blanket over it (the fire stops as soon as it has no more oxygen).
What to do if there's a widespread fire?
If the incipient fire degenerates into a full-blown blaze :
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Call the fire department and, above all, do not jump out the window!
- Close all exits from the room where the fire is located, including windows. This avoids the rapid spread of fire and protects against asphyxiation caused by smoke.
- Put rags, if possible wet, at the bottom of the doors to slow down the air supply.
- Put a damp cloth over your face to protect yourself from smoke emanations.
These precautions should protect you during the time needed for firefighters to arrive.
Photo by Issy Bailey
