What to Do If You Discover a Person on Fire: Quick Steps

“Fire! Fire!” You hear someone scream. You turn around and see a person engulfed in flames. If you discover a person on fire, what do you do?

This is a situation that no one wants to be in, but it’s important to know what to do if you ever find yourself in it. Staying calm and taking immediate action can save lives.

In this article, we will discuss the quick and effective steps you can take if you discover a person on fire. We will also provide tips on how to deal with fire victims.

Here are the quick and effective steps you can take if you discover a person on fire:

Stop, drop, and roll. This is the first thing you should do if your clothing catches on fire. Stop moving, drop to the ground, and roll around to smother the flames.
Alert others. If you see someone else on fire, yell “fire!” to alert others and get help.
Smother the flames. If it is safe to do so, smother the flames with a blanket, coat, or other heavy material. Do not use water, as this can spread the flames.
Use a fire extinguisher. If you have a fire extinguisher, use it to put out the flames. Be sure to use the correct type of extinguisher for the type of fire.
Call 911. Even if you are able to extinguish the flames, it is important to call 911 for medical assistance.

Here are some tips on how to deal with fire victims:

Stay calm and reassure the victim.
Remove any burning clothing.
Apply cool, wet compresses to burns.
Do not break any blisters.
Seek medical attention immediately.

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Understanding the Situation

To discover a person on fire means to see or find someone who is engulfed in flames. This can be a very dangerous situation, and it is important to act quickly to help the person.

There are many potential causes of a person catching fire. Some of the most common causes include:

Contact with a hot object, such as a stove burner or a lit cigarette
Wearing flammable clothing near an open flame
Playing with matches or lighters
Working with flammable materials
Being involved in a fire

Personal safety and protection are always important, but they are especially important when dealing with a person who is on fire.

Here are some tips for staying safe:

Stay calm and assess the situation.
Do not try to put out the fire yourself if it is large or out of control.
Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
If the person is conscious, help them to lie down and roll on the ground to smother the flames.
If the person is unconscious, do not move them. Cover them with a blanket or coat to smother the flames.
Once the fire is out, check the person for burns and other injuries.
Get the person to a safe place and call for medical help.

It is important to remember that fire can spread quickly and be very dangerous. If you see someone on fire, it is important to act quickly and to take steps to protect yourself and the person who is on fire.

Immediate Actions to Take

Here are the immediate actions you can take if you see someone on fire:

Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. This is the most important thing you can do to help the person. The fire department will be able to put out the fire and provide medical assistance.
If the person is conscious, help them to lie down and roll on the ground to smother the flames. This technique is called “stop, drop, and roll.” It helps to smother the flames by depriving them of oxygen.
If the person is unconscious, do not move them. Cover them with a blanket or coat to smother the flames. Once the fire is out, check the person for burns and other injuries. Get the person to a safe place and call for medical help.
If the fire is large or out of control, do not try to put it out yourself. This could put you in danger. Instead, call 911 and evacuate the area.

Here are some additional tips for smothering flames:

Use a non-flammable material, such as a blanket, coat, or fire extinguisher.
Make sure the material completely covers the flames.
Do not use water to extinguish flames on clothing. This could cause the water to vaporize and spread the flames.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

If you are wearing flammable clothing, remove it immediately.
If you have to go near the fire, wear gloves and long sleeves to protect yourself from the heat.
Be careful not to breathe in the smoke. Smoke inhalation can be dangerous.
Once the fire is out, check the area for any other hazards, such as downed power lines or broken gas lines.

Providing Aid

Here are some tips on how to provide aid to a person who has been on fire:

Assess the victim’s injuries. Check for burns, smoke inhalation, and other injuries. If the person is conscious, ask them about their pain and other symptoms. If the person is unconscious, check their breathing and pulse.
Offer reassurance. Stay calm and talk to the victim to help them stay calm. Let them know that help is on the way.
First aid for burns. If the person has burns, cool the affected area with cool water for 10-15 minutes. Do not use ice or ointments. Cover the burn with a clean, dry bandage. If the burn is large or severe, seek medical attention immediately.

Here are some additional tips for providing first aid to a person who has been on fire:

Remove any clothing that is smoldering or melted.
Do not try to remove clothing that is stuck to the skin.
Do not break any blisters that have formed.
Keep the victim warm.
Give the victim plenty of fluids to drink.

Once you have provided initial first aid, call 911 or your local emergency number for further assistance.

Safety Precautions

Here are some safety precautions to take to prevent fires and to stay safe in the event of a fire:

Do not use water to extinguish certain types of fires. Water can spread an electrical fire or a grease fire. Use a fire extinguisher or sand to extinguish these types of fires.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Make sure you know how to use it and that it is in good working order.
Learn basic fire safety techniques. This includes knowing how to stop, drop, and roll, and how to use a fire extinguisher.
Be careful with flammable materials. Keep these materials away from heat and open flames.
Do not overload electrical outlets. This can cause a fire.
Have a fire escape plan. Practice this plan with your family so that you know what to do in the event of a fire.
Test your smoke alarms regularly. Smoke alarms can help you detect a fire early, giving you more time to escape.
Keep your home clean and tidy. This will help to prevent fires from starting.
Avoid smoking indoors. Smoking is the leading cause of home fires.

By following these safety precautions, you can help to prevent fires and stay safe in the event of one.

Here are some additional tips for keeping your home safe from fire:

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement and attic.
Test your smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries twice a year.
Have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and in other areas of your home where there is a risk of fire.
Keep flammable materials, such as gasoline and lighter fluid, in a safe place away from heat and open flames.
Do not overload electrical outlets.
Keep cords and wires away from heat and sharp objects.
Do not leave candles unattended.
Be careful when using flammable liquids, such as when cooking or using a grill.
Have a fire escape plan and practice it with your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use water to put out the fire?

No, not always. Water is not always the best option for putting out a fire. In fact, it can make some types of fires worse. For example, water can spread an electrical fire or a grease fire.

Here are some situations where you should not use water to put out a fire:

Electrical fire: Water can conduct electricity, which can make the fire worse.
Grease fire: Water can cause the grease to splatter, which can spread the fire.
Chemical fire: Water can react with some chemicals and make the fire worse.

Here are some situations where you can use water to put out a fire:

Wood fire: Water can be used to put out a wood fire, but it is important to use enough water to soak the fire completely.
Paper fire: Water can be used to put out a paper fire, but it is important to be careful not to spread the fire.
Clothing fire: If a person’s clothing is on fire, you can use water to put out the fire, but be careful not to drench the person.

What if there’s no fire extinguisher or non-flammable material nearby?

If there is no fire extinguisher or non-flammable material nearby, you can use a coat, blanket, or other large piece of cloth to smother the flames.
Be sure to cover the flames completely and hold the material in place until the fire is out.
If you do not have a coat or blanket, you can also use your own body to smother the flames. However, this should only be done as a last resort, as it can put you at risk of injury.

Is it safe to move the person who is on fire?

It depends on the situation. If the person is conscious and able to walk, it is generally safe to move them away from the fire. However, if the person is unconscious or if the fire is too large, it is not safe to move them.
If you do need to move an unconscious person, be sure to roll them onto their side to prevent them from choking on their own smoke.
Once the person is safe, call 911 or your local emergency number for help.

Should I remove burnt clothing from the person?

Yes, but be careful. Do not remove clothing that is stuck to the skin. Instead, cut the clothing away from the skin.
If the clothing is smoldering, douse it with water first.
Once the clothing is removed, cool the affected area with cool water for 10-15 minutes.
Do not apply ice or ointments to the burn.
Cover the burn with a clean, dry bandage.
Seek medical attention if the burn is large or severe.

What if the person is unconscious?

If the person is unconscious, do not move them unless they are in immediate danger.
Instead, call 911 or your local emergency number for help.
Once help arrives, the person will be taken to the hospital for treatment.

Conclusion

If you discover a person on fire, smother the flames with a blanket or rug, or use a fire extinguisher if you know how to operate one.

Here are the specific steps you should take:

Assess the situation and make sure it is safe for you to approach the person. If the fire is large or spreading quickly, it is best to evacuate the area and call 911.
If it is safe to approach the person, try to stop them from moving around. This will help to prevent the flames from spreading.
Smother the flames with a blanket or rug. If you do not have a blanket or rug, you can use a coat, towel, or other large piece of fabric.
If a fire extinguisher is available, use it to extinguish the flames. Be sure to follow the instructions on the extinguisher.
Call 911 and wait for help to arrive.