If you live in a high rise building and a fire breaks out, would you know what to do? Or how to safely escape? Watch the videos below to find out.
There are a number of easy steps you can undertake to keep safe in your apartment:
PLAN for a fire or emergency
Your home escape plans will be a little different to the average single storey house. Think of the following tips before you have a fire in your apartment building:
- Familiarise yourself with your building’s fire escape plan. If you cannot find one speak to your owner’s corporation
- Know where the fire exits, fire stairs and firefighting equipment are located. Only use firefighting equipment if you feel confident and safe in doing so
- Make an escape plan with your family and other occupants. Include a back-up option in case your initial plan of escape is blocked. Also include an arranged safe meeting place outside the building
- Inform any visitors of the escape plan
- Test smoke alarms in your apartment monthly and clean regularly with a duster or vacuum cleaner
- Smoke alarms provide a vital early warning and can allow extra time to escape if there is a fire in your apartment
- Find further information on smoke alarms at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/smoke-alarms
RESPOND to a fire or emergency
If there is a fire in your apartment building:
- Respond immediately when alerted to fire and evacuate to your safe meeting place
- Do not wait and see. Do not spend time collecting items or to go investigate what is happening. EVERY SECOND COUNTS
- Stay calm and get everyone out as quickly as possible
- Get down low and stay out of the smoke
- If safe to do so, close all doors behind you as you leave
- If the fire is small and close to your location consider trying to extinguish with the firefighting equipment provided, but only if you feel confident and safe to do so.
- Call out to other people to alert them that there is a fire
- Do not use lifts during a fire unless they are specifically labelled for evacuation. Use emergency exits or fire stairs
- Get out and stay out. Never re-enter the building until advised by the fire fighters
- Call 000 (triple zero) from a mobile phone or a neighbour’s phone. Ask for FIRE
MAINTAIN escape routes and firefighting equipment
- Keep all firefighting equipment, such as extinguishers and fire hoses clear of obstructions. Never store items in fire equipment cupboards
- Never prop or wedge open fire or smoke doors because these are designed to stop the spread of smoke and fire
- Do not store items in corridors or staircases as this can block escape routes and obstruct firefighters from doing their job
Page last updated: Thursday, 26 October 2023 1:10:29 PM