Fire Detection and Extinguishing

Nearly every big fire begins as a small fire, and therefore it is important to react quickly and extinguish the fire when it begins to spread. For this purpose, it is necessary to exercise a degree of self-control, as we are naturally alarmed when fire breaks out.

How to behave during a fire

Extinguishing a small fire 

• Disconnect the electrical appliance from the socket
• Distance the burning object from the source of the fire
• Try to smother the fire
• Extinguish the fire with water (except in the case of a frying pan)
• Disconnect the cooking gas supply
• Remember! Do not pour water on a place where there is “live” electricity in order not to cause a short circuit
• Call the fire and rescue services (102), at the same time as attempting to extinguish the fire

If you have unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the fire – leave the place immediately

Extinguishing a large fire

If you do not manage to overcome and extinguish the fire:

• Call the fire and rescue services (telephone: 102)
• Concentrate all family members together in one safe place
• If the way out is clear – get outside immediately
• If it is impossible to get outside – get out to a place where you can breathe clean air
• Do not jump from a high story / high place – call for help and wait for the fire and rescue services to arrive
• After leaving a burning house prepare a list of the people who were in the house and left it
• Once you have left the building, stay outside! Do not go back into the building for any reason or under any circumstance
• If you have information on people trapped in the building, inform the firefighting services immediately
• Enter the building only when the firefighting services tell you that it is safe to do so

If you are trapped in a burning building, what should you do?

• Have you discovered a fire? Hurry! Call the fire and rescue services (telephone: 102)
• Do not delay and do not let the fire spread. Locate it and try to extinguish it while it is still in its early stages
• Avoid spraying water on electrical appliances. First disconnect them from the electricity
• If you have not overcome the fire and you live on the ground floor, get out of the house immediately. Do not stop to rescue valuables, your lives are more valuable!
• Walk bent over (smoke rises), or crawl near the floor under the thick cloud of smoke
• Walk near the wall and look for the nearest exit
• If you cannot get out, enter the nearest room and close the door
• If a fire has broken out in the stairwell, the smoke will reach the door of your apartment long before the fire. Under no circumstances should you open the door. Touch the door handle and if it is hot, do not go outside! Prevent the fire and smoke from entering your apartment, block cracks with a wet towel or blanket. If necessary, cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth, go to the nearest window and breathe fresh air.
• Smoke that permeates into a closed place is very dangerous! When moving in a smoke-filled place, bend over or even crawl on the floor to somewhere with fresh air.
• Reach a window and call for help, shout and wave a white or colored cloth and wait for the rescue services.
• Under no circumstances should you try to descend the smoke-filled stairs, and do not use the elevator!

Extinguishing yourself if your clothes are on fire

• Stop - do not run
• Fall carefully on the floor and cover your face with your hands
• Roll - from side to side until the fire is extinguished

Use of a fire extinguisher >>
 

Remember:

• Telephone 102 and report the fire to the fire and rescue call center
• If your exit passage is in danger – leave the area of the fire immediately!
• If the extinguishing substance in the fire extinguisher is finished – leave the area of the fire immediately!
• If the extinguisher is ineffective – leave the area of the fire immediately!
• If you cannot extinguish the fire safely – leave the area of the fire immediately!

For further information visit the website of the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority >>