What to do in a house fire: step-by-step guide

Knowing what to do in a house fire can make the difference between a quick evacuation and a situation that escalates unnecessarily. House fires are more common than they seem. Many homes have terraces, open-plan kitchens or appliances running most of the day. A small oversight can quickly turn into an unexpected fire. Acting in time means understanding how smoke behaves, which mistakes to avoid, and how to leave safely without putting yourself at risk.

How to act in a house fire

Before thinking about how to put out a fire, the priority is survival and getting out of the property. Your first decisions will shape everything that follows.

• Stay calm and assess the situation

Your body reacts quickly to smoke and the smell of burning. Even so, you need a few seconds to understand where the fire is coming from. Check whether it is contained in a single room or already spreading into the hallway. This first look will tell you if you can close a door to slow it down or if you need to leave immediately. It also helps you understand how the smoke is behaving, whether it is rising or starting to drop, which is key for moving safely.

• Call emergency services immediately

Once you have a sense of the situation, call for help straight away. Dial 112 and provide your exact address, whether anyone is inside, and what type of fire it appears to be. Even if you think you can control it, make the call. Many house fires seem small at first but spread heat very quickly. Having firefighters on the way reduces unnecessary risks.

• Evacuate the property safely

Leaving the house is not just about heading for the door. Smoke can disorient you within seconds, so it helps to follow a clear mental plan. Before opening any door, touch it with the back of your hand to check if it is hot. If it is, do not open it, as there may be flames or trapped gases behind it.

Do not use the lift

A lift can fail due to heat, electrical faults or the building’s safety system. Once inside, smoke can build up quickly and become impossible to breathe. Using the stairs, even with some smoke present, always offers a more predictable escape route.

Stay low if there is smoke

Breathing near the ceiling is dangerous. Hot smoke carries carbon monoxide and particles that irritate the lungs. If visibility drops, move in a crouched position. About half a metre from the ground there is usually a layer of cleaner air that allows you to reach the exit more safely.

Cover your nose and mouth

A damp cloth will not fully filter gases, but it helps reduce the irritation caused by smoke and gives you more time to move. It does not need to be soaked, just quickly dampened under the tap. If that is not possible, use a sleeve, towel or whatever you have closest.

• If you cannot leave, find a safe room

Some fires block escape routes within seconds. In that case, the priority is to create a temporary safe space. Go into a room you can close off and use towels or clothing to block gaps where smoke could enter. Move to a window, call for help and let firefighters know exactly where you are. Avoid breaking the glass, as a sudden rush of oxygen can intensify the flames. Keep your phone with you in case you need to share your precise location.

• What to do if there are children or elderly people

In a house fire, priorities change if you live with children, elderly people or anyone with reduced mobility. They can become disoriented more easily and need clear instructions. Ask them to follow you, keep them in front of you, and maintain physical contact to prevent them from getting lost in low visibility. If you use a wheelchair or mobility aids, always have an accessible evacuation route planned in advance.

• What to do after a house fire

Once the fire is under control, do not re-enter the property on your own. The structure may be weakened, electrical systems damaged, and the air filled with toxic particles. Wait for firefighters to confirm it is safe. Take photos of the damage for insurance purposes and have the electrical system checked before using any appliances again.

If this is a second home, a fire may happen while you are away. Having a system that detects smoke or heat early helps minimise damage. Solutions like Olin Protect can respond even when you are not physically at the property.

Tips to prevent a house fire

Preventing a fire is more about habits than luck. Many homes catch fire due to electrical faults, overloaded sockets or everyday oversights. Taking care of key risk areas makes a real difference.

Regularly checking electrical and gas installations is a good starting point. A technician can assess whether wiring is worn, sockets are loose or the fuse board trips too often. In homes where air conditioning runs frequently, systems are under more strain than usual. Worn cables can overheat and cause sparks.

Another important habit is never leaving candles, heaters or pans unattended. Most kitchen fires start with overheated oil. Once it begins to smoke, temperatures exceed 180°C and can ignite suddenly. If that happens, cover the pan with a metal lid to cut off oxygen. Never use water, as it will cause the oil to splatter and spread the flames. In homes with terraces, poorly extinguished barbecues or embers thrown into bins have also caused fires hours later.

Having a fire extinguisher within reach can help when the fire is still manageable. Keep it near an exit, not inside the kitchen, so you can access it without moving closer to the flames. Check the pressure gauge once a year. Using it takes less than two minutes: pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire and press the handle. They work best in small, enclosed spaces, so a one or two kilo unit is usually enough for a home.

Smoke detectors are another key element. Install them in hallways, near bedrooms and on the ceiling, where hot smoke gathers. They detect particles long before flames are visible. In second homes, alerts may come too late if no one is there. That is why connected systems, like those included in Olin Protect, send instant notifications to your phone and alert monitoring centres, speeding up response even when the property is empty.

It is also important to know how to put out an electrical fire at home. Never use water. Cut the power at the fuse box and use a CO₂ or dry powder extinguisher, which suppresses the fire without risking electrocution.

Knowing what to do in a house fire helps you avoid rushed decisions and act safely. Staying calm, evacuating quickly and using a fire extinguisher correctly can make a real difference. Once everything is back to normal, checking installations, installing smoke detectors and relying on connected security systems reduces the overall risk.

If you want to strengthen protection in your main home or second property, you can explore Olin Protect here.