How should you react if trapped in a fire?

Staying low, covering your mouth, and signaling for help is the most effective reaction if you find yourself trapped in a fire. When a fire occurs, smoke and toxic gases can rise to the ceiling, making the air near the floor much safer to breathe. By staying low, you minimize your exposure to these harmful substances.

Covering your mouth helps protect your lungs from smoke inhalation and other harmful particles while signaling for help increases your chances of being rescued. This method relies on the fact that many emergency responders are trained to look for signs of distress, and a visible signal can expedite rescue efforts, especially if you are in a location that first responders might not easily see.

Other options are less effective. Running through flames is dangerous and can lead to severe burns or injuries. Opening a window and yelling for help may be effective in some scenarios, but it could also lead to further danger if the fire spreads or fatigue sets in during a prolonged ordeal. Trying to extinguish the fire can put you at greater risk, especially without proper training or equipment, and could lead to panic or more dangerous situations. Thus, staying low, covering your mouth, and signaling for help is the safest and most strategic response in this scenario.