Top 5 Immediate Actions to Take When Fire Starts

Learn five essential steps to follow when a fire breaks out. Acting fast can help you escape safely and reduce life-threatening fire-related risks.

March 28, 2025
Emergency Preparedness, Reliable Cares, Reliable Resources, Reliable's Top 5

Disaster can still strike no matter your preparations and precautions. It could be a quirk of the environment, especially with summers getting hotter - and thus everything’s drier - or just one of your neighbors being careless and suddenly you’re facing the nightmare of a fire in your home or property.

5 Essential Steps to Protect Your Family and Home

Staying calm and acting quickly can save lives. Here are five essential steps to follow when a fire breaks out, whether at home or on your property:

1. Alert Everyone Immediately

Your first priority is to let everyone know a fire is happening. If there is a fire alarm in place, then trigger it. You should also shout “fire!” as loud and clear as you can to let those within earshot know what’s happening.

Contact BFP or 911 immediately. Provide clear and accurate details, including the fire’s location and severity. Having the Bureau of Fire Protection’s hotline saved on your phone can save time.

For a list of essential emergency contact numbers, visit e911.gov.ph or our guide: Emergency Contact Numbers in Case of Disaster

2. Evacuate Without Delay

Once you’ve informed everyone and there is no way for you to deal with the fire on your own, getting out is your top priority as you might only have minutes to escape. Do not stop for anything and leave your belongings behind. Make a beeline for the nearest exit.

Having a plan for these instances helps a lot, so you know in advance what to do and where to go. Having regular fire drills is also key to making sure these plans get followed.

3. Use Alternate Escape Routes if Necessary

When you touch the handle of a door and it is warm, or heavy smoke is blocking your route, do not open the door or push through that route. Instead, look for other ways to get out, like an alternate exit or even through a window. Having fire safety ladders is key to this strategy for high-rise properties.

In case the fire and smoke prevent you from leaving a room, seal the doors by blocking them with fabric, like rags or even your shirt. If you can find a way to make the cloth wet, do so. Then, open a window to let people know where you are.

4. Manage Smoke Exposure

If there is already smoke in your escape routes, you and those with you should go down on all fours and crawl underneath the smoke. Close doors behind you.

5. Stop, Drop, and Roll If You Catch Fire

If you’re on fire, the best remedy is to stop what you’re doing, cover your face, drop to the ground, and roll until the flames are out.

Once you put out the flames, check if you’ve been burned and cool the affected skin with water for three to five minutes. Call for medical assistance as soon as you can.

Stay Prepared and Safe

Being prepared for a fire involves more than just reacting when it happens. It also means planning ahead by making sure you and your property are protected if the worst should occur.
Insure your property as well as yourself and your family so you are covered from the financial impact of fire-related risks, injuries, and damages.

Property Insurance coverage ensures that your home or commercial space is financially protected in case of fire. It helps cover repair or replacement costs should a fire damage your property or its contents—giving you peace of mind knowing your investment is secure.

Learn more about the key components of property insurance covering fire-related risks here: Fire Protection for Your Property: Reduce Risks with the Right Coverage

Know more about our Property Insurance offers here: Navigating Property Insurance

Want to go beyond the basics? Learn how to prepare before, during, and after a fire here: Ready, Respond, Recover: The 3 R’s of Fire Safety

Accident and Health Insurance coverage is a valuable safety net to ensure that you and your loved ones can access urgent medical care in case of injuries, burns, or smoke inhalation. It is always better to seek medical attention after surviving a fire, even if injuries seem minor—some effects, like carbon monoxide poisoning, may not be immediately visible.

At Reliable Insurance Brokers, we offer Property, Commercial, and Industrial All-Risk Insurance, along with personal health coverage, to help you stay protected from fire hazards and emergencies. We're here to help you find the right plans for your home, business, and your family's well-being.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can assist you in securing the right insurance coverage.