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Here’s What to do When Your House Catches Fire

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Every occupier should be prepared for the unforeseen scenarios which come uninvited and lead to vulnerable damages. One such way is to have homeowners insurance which safeguards your house from financial losses that could incur due to these unwanted events. In India, there are constant fire incidences; hence, it is wise to know what to do in the event of a house fire. Fire is disastrous, and you have to be cautious because in as little as two minutes, a house fire can turn into a rapid movement and life-threatening disaster.

1. Get the Fire Extinguisher

If you sense even a small fire break-out in your home, do not ignore it. Go for your fire extinguisher as a one-stop preventive measure. This singular act can help curb the fire instantly. Fire extinguishers are essential and should be installed in every house, whether private or commercial.

2. Communicate With Others about Fire Break-out

Inform others in the house of the fire situation by screaming out loud; do not rely on smoke detectors and alarms to inform others; they might sometimes malfunction due to battery faults and other reasons.

3. Call the Fire Department Number - 101

Pick up your phone and call the fire department after leaving the property, do not stop inside the house searching for your mobile device as you could get caught up in flames. Instead, rush out, and ask neighbours or passers-by to help you call the fire department.

4. Leave Valuables behind

Never delay finding the best possible escape route from a burning house to find valuables when in a fire. You could always notify the fire safety officers when they arrive with valuables describing their last known location.

5. Stop, Drop and Roll.

If your clothing catches fire, do not run; simply drop to the floor and roll over your back to extinguish the fire. It is better to crawl and remain close to the ground to keep you away from the high temperature and thick smoke from the fire. Stay low until you escape the burning house.

6. Cover Your Nostril

Cover your nostril with a shirt or a damp towel during a house fire; this will prevent smoke from entering your lungs. Also cover the faces of children as much as possible, especially when helping out to get them to safety. Lastly, do not run into a room filled with smoke or flames; doing that means running into massive danger.

7. Close doors.

Once you crawled out of a room, close the door behind you. Research has proven that closing doors prevent fire from spreading, which simply means the fire will be relegated to a spot for a while.

8. Once Out, Do not Enter Burning House

Once you escape from the fire in the house, stay out. Do not enter a burning house even if you left your animals or property behind. Instead, notify the fire department officers immediately if you believe people or pets are still in the house and direct them to where they could be.

Conclusion

If you follow the above-mentioned tips in the event of a house fire, damages can be minimized. However, a homeowner insurance policy can help avoid your years of income draining out in a fraction of seconds due to a fire incident. With HDFC ERGO property insurance, you can cover belongings worth up to Rs 25 lakhs.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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