Closing doors behind you as you leave the house will slow down the spread of flames and help protect both people and your belongings from fire.

Do

• Stay low to the floor where the air is cleaner and cooler
• Shout to warn your family or anyone nearby – even outside
• If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop down and roll on the ground until the flames go out.
• If someone else’s clothing catches light, use a blanket, rug or thick coat to put out the flames
• If you cannot get out, stand by a window so firefighters can see you
• Never open a door if it's warm to touch, there could be fire inside
• Keep your keys somewhere that is easy to find if you need them to open any doors

Never

• Open a door if it is warm to touch, there could be fire inside
• Use a lift - Always take the stairs
• Stop to take anything with you
• Try to go back inside until a firefighter tells you it is safe to do so
• Jump out of a window, unless you are sure it will be safe to do so

Remember, smoke and fumes can quickly overcome anyone. Trying to tackle a fire or staying to salvage goods could prove fatal. If a fire does happen in your household, the only safe thing to do is get out the building and call the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

If you cannot get out

• Get everyone into one room (grab a mobile phone if you can). This is your ‘safe’ room
• When everyone is in the room, pack clothes, cushions, pillows or towels around the door to keep smoke out
• Open a window and shout for help until someone calls 999 for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
• Stay at the open window
• If you are on the first floor, you might be able to drop some pillows or cushions and then lower yourself from the windowsill. Only ever try this if you have no other choice
• If you are leaving by a window and there are two adults, one should go first to catch children that are passed down by the other. Pass them slowly and stretch full length before you let them go
• If you are on a higher floor, lean out of the window for fresh air until the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service arrives

Property can be replaced, but people cannot. Knowing the basics and having a fire action plan – where everyone knows what to do in an emergency – could save lives.