STUFF HAPPENS!

You can be careful, and you can take precautions, but sometimes things go wrong. What’s the best thing to do in an emergency? Read on for some essential tips.

HOUSE FIRES

House fires are very dangerous. If you smell smoke, act quickly. Try to get out of the building and call the emergency services. Before you open any doors, touch the handle with the back of your hand. If it is hot, don’t open it. The fire could be on the other side. If you are trapped in a room, go to the window and shout for help. Put towels or sheets around the door. If the room is smoky, breathe near the floor because there is more oxygen there.

LIGHTNING

If you are outdoors, find shelter—and find it quickly. Lightning is fast and can travel over 15 kilometres from the centre of the storm. If you stand under a tree, you are in danger. This is because lightning strikes the tallest thing in the area. The safest place is inside a building or a car. If you can’t find shelter, never lie down on the ground. Make yourself as small as possible. If you’re at home, unplug all your electrical appliances and don’t touch taps or sinks. Metal conducts electricity, and that isn’t safe!

DROWNING

The biggest danger in the seas isn’t sharks or poisonous jellyfish; it’s drowning. If you think you are in trouble, try not to panic. Don’t attempt to swim to the shore if you are more than 100 metres away. That’s a long distance, even for good swimmers. If you take a deep breath, your lungs will fill with oxygen. This will help you float. Then roll onto your back with your arms stretched out. Then continue to breathe calmly and listen for boats and other swimmers.

TRAPPED IN A CROWD

You’re at a gig or a sporting event. One moment you’re having fun, the next you’re trapped in a crowd, and it’s chaos. So, if you enter a space full of people, check the location of the emergency exits. If you feel uncomfortable, move towards the nearest exit. It’s best to stay on the edge of the crowd because the centre is a pressure point. Stay on your feet and keep your hands up to your chest like a boxer. This protects you and helps you breathe. Save your energy, don’t push, and be polite! It helps!