First, familiarize yourself with the environment and memorize exits:
When in an unfamiliar setting, pay close attention to evacuation routes, emergency exits, and staircase locations to ensure swift escape during critical moments.
Second, keep passageways and exits unobstructed:
Staircases, corridors, and emergency exits are vital escape routes. Ensure they remain clear at all times—never block them with clutter or lock them with gates.
Third, extinguish small fires to help others:
If the fire is small and poses no immediate threat to people, and sufficient firefighting equipment like extinguishers or hydrants is available nearby, strive to control and extinguish the small fire.
Fourth, Stay Calm and Determine Direction:
Quick evacuation requires composure. Rapidly assess and decide on an escape route—avoid blindly following crowds, pushing others, or dashing recklessly. Head toward well-lit areas or open spaces outside, aiming to descend to lower floors.
Fifth, avoid danger zones and do not risk life for possessions:
When in danger, evacuate immediately. Do not waste precious escape time searching for or moving valuables due to embarrassment or attachment. Those who have already escaped must never re-enter the danger zone and walk into a trap.
Sixth, Simple Protection: Cover Your Nose and Crawl:
To prevent smoke inhalation during escape, cover your nose with a towel or mask and crawl low to the ground. Douse your head and body with cold water, or wrap yourself in a wet towel, blanket, or quilt before rushing out.
Seventh, Use Escape Routes Wisely, Avoid Elevators:
During a fire, select relatively safer stairwells based on conditions. Besides stairs, utilize balconies, windowsills, rooftops, or other elevated areas to reach nearby safe zones. Descend using protruding building structures like water pipes or lightning rods. Never use elevators.
Eighth, Descend Slowly or Use Ropes for Self-Rescue:
High-rise and multi-story buildings typically have high-altitude descent devices or rescue ropes. Use these to evacuate dangerous floors. If unavailable, improvise with bedsheets, curtains, or clothing to create a makeshift rope. Wet it thoroughly and slide down from a windowsill or balcony to safety.
Ninth, Shelter in Place and Await Rescue:
If the door feels hot to the touch or cannot be opened, seal windows and doors facing the fire. Open those away from the fire. Block door gaps with wet towels or cloths, or cover windows and doors with water-soaked quilts. Continuously douse the room with water while awaiting rescue.
Tenth, Signal for Help with Gentle Movements:
Those trapped by smoke and flames should remain in easily visible locations like balconies or windows where they can avoid direct exposure. Immediately send effective distress signals to attract rescuers' attention.
Eleventh, If Fire Catches Your Clothes, Do Not Panic or Run:
If you discover flames on your clothing, never panic or run, and do not beat the flames with your hands. Immediately attempt to remove clothing or roll on the ground to smother the flames. Jumping into water, having someone pour water on you, or using fire extinguishing agents are more effective methods.
Twelfth, Jumping from a building is a last resort for survival:
Jumping from a building is an escape method, but note: this should only be attempted when firefighters have prepared an air cushion and are directing the jump, or when the building is not too high (generally below the fourth floor), and jumping is the only alternative to being burned alive.