subject: What To Do In An Urban Emergency [print this page] Did you know that during an emergency being inside the building is actually more danger than being outside? During an emergency many people panic and fail to realize the risk of danger of falling rubble and burning debris. Many people also fail to have a back-up plan in the event if a disaster strikes. For example, are you situated in a densely built urban environment or a relatively empty rural area? Or are you in a suburban area, somewhere in between these two opposites? What is the nature of the emergency? Is fire or falling debris your immediate concern? Do you need shelter for the short term? These are the types of questions you should be asking yourself before such an event was to occur. Read on to find out how to survive inside a building struck by fire and how to survive in a building struck by an earthquake.
The first step to keeping a house safe from potential fires is to ensure that all smoke alarms are functioning and that each family member knows the safest and quickest way to exit out of the home. Practicing a fire drill can also certainly help as well. When you hear an alarm or discover a fire you must react quickly. In the event of a fire close by, quickly grab a blanket to insulate yourself from the flames, and quickly slip into appropriate footwear if there is enough time and get out as quickly as possible. Do not stop to grab any valuables, your life is far more precious. Ensure that keys are kept by windows that are locked so that if for any reason someones exit is blocked by fire or fallen debris they can still use a window to escape. Feel any doors you want to use before opening them. If there is a fire behind the door opening it could cause the fire to rapidly get worse due to an influx of oxygen. Feel the door itself, not the doorknob, and try to gauge if it is cool enough to risk opening. Finally, try to cover your mouth with an item of clothing or something to try and keep out smoke from your lungs. If the smoke gets too thick crawl along the floor as the hot smoke will rise and leave the cooler oxygen closer to the floor. This is where you want to be if the smoke does get too thick. Once you are clear of the building ensure there is enough distance so that falling debris wont strike you.
