Before:

• Find time to constantly practice fire escape scenario with your family and especially with your children. Keep in mind that there are many things which may seem obvious for an adult person could still be difficult for a child to figure out. For example, make sure your children understand that it's not only useless to hide from fire but furthermore it can even be a deadly mistake.
• Have your fire alarm system working; don't forget to change batteries at least one in 4 months. Make sure you have fire extinguishers in proper location in your living and working area.
• Always know as much as possible about the safest way to evacuate. For instance, if you're staying in a hotel it might be a good idea to ask for a map of it learning the easiest way to evacuate during a fire. It doesn't mean that you have to become paranoid, putting your room keys in your shoes before you go to bed. However if you'll make a rule for yourself to always try getting a room on a lower level of the building without even forecasting the situation one day it may even save your live. By doing so you can generally evacuate much faster.
• Depending on your personal circumstances it may be a good idea to consider fire insurance.

During

• It may sound silly for some but the first thing to remember during a fire is to stay calm and not to waste any time on unnecessary means. Do not hesitate to leave everything behind if you barely have enough time to make your own escape. Panic causes disorientation. So no matter how precipitously the situation progressing remember to think carefully before you act as some of your choices during fire emergency can easily become critical. There is no guide that can tell you for sure which would be more reasonable for you - to stay trapped waiting for a rescue or to make your way out. Such things totally depend on the situation you're in.
• If you're making a decision to get through the fire remember to stay low in smoke in order to reach a relatively fresh air. Find a wet piece of fabric to breathe through it in order to partially neutralize toxic smoke effects. Even if you don't see any fire around smoke itself can be toxic enough to become a serious threat.
• Know the right way to deal with hot doors. First of all always feel every door before opening it. If it's hot and there is smoke coming out of it you should strongly consider the possibility of finding another way out. In case if you're forced to open a hot door do it carefully and slowly turning your head away from it. Remember that by opening a door you allow extra oxygen to reach an uncontrolled fire, so make sure to close it behind you even if it doesn't seem to make a difference.
• Stay in the room while fire or heavy smoke is blocking the exits place wet towels at the bottom of the door, fill the bathtub with water in case of fire breaking in. If your facility is full of smoke open your windows and use a fan if it's available. In another words keep yourself cool and use your imagination to maintain the room relatively safe as long as possible waiting for a rescue.
• If you made it to the roof make sure to await rescuers on the windward side of it.
• In case when it seems possible turn gas and electricity off from outside the building if you know where to look.

Neutralizing fire

• Never run if you catch on fire – quickly lay down on the ground and roll back and forward until the you're stop burning. Remember to protect your face with both hands while doing so.
• Use blanket or coat to wrap a person in it. Do not use your bare hands for it not only because of safety issues but also because most likely it simply won't be effective.

After

• Do not re-enter the building until the permission has been given.
• Even if you didn't suffer any visible injures try to get medical attention as soon as it becomes available. You may still be under toxic effect of smoke or have any other potentially life threatening injures which may be not even noticeable during adrenaline-pumping or simple shock effect.
• Relieving burns first of all run cold water over it for at least 10 minutes. Don't use ice, butter or other ointments.