When a Fire Starts, What Should You Do First?
When a fire starts, what's the very first thing to do?
Calling for help, staying low to get out safely — Didi and her friends learn these important safety steps one by one, calmly, in WAGZAK JUMP.
Real emergencies come without warning, so it helps to let your body remember ahead of time.
Staying Calm When a Fire Breaks Out
"If a fire starts, what should I do?"
When I really thought about it, I'd never actually practiced it before.
It would be such a big deal if it ever really happened. So today I decided to learn it step by step in WAGZAK JUMP.
When I pressed the button, a little red flame flickered up right in the middle of the room on the screen. (It's not a real fire. It's just practice, so don't worry!)
Then Coach Popo appeared with a hop. "When a fire starts, the most important thing is to stay calm and not panic!"
Put Out a Small Flame Like Sweeping with a Broom
First, let's practice putting out a tiny spark.
Popo pointed to the fire extinguisher. "Before you pull the safety pin, look at this needle first."
There's a round pressure gauge on the extinguisher, and if the needle points to green, it's ready to use.
Green — check! Now pull out the safety pin with a quick tug.
Popo gave me one more tip. "Stand with the wind and the exit behind you."
If the wind blows toward me, the heat could rush over me, and if the fire catches near the exit, I won't be able to get out.
Aim the hose at the fire, squeeze the handle tight, and sweep left and right along the floor like a broom.
Whoosh — the little flame quietly went out. Phew, what a relief!
Never Pour Water on an Electrical Fire
This time it's a more realistic situation. Saerom is alone in the room when a fire suddenly flares up from the outlet.
Startled, Saerom is about to splash water on it.
"No, Saerom!"
Popo quickly stops him. "Pouring water on an electrical fire is very dangerous. You must never do it."
Instead, there's something else to do first. "When a fire starts, the very first thing is to call 119!"
"This is Apartment 301 at Sangsang Villa in Changui-dong — there's a fire!" Saerom practiced saying the address clearly, word by word.
Your Body Comes Before Your Favorite Things
Now here's another situation. Saerom looks around, trying to grab a favorite doll and a phone.
Meanwhile, smoke is slowly filling up the room.
"Oh no!" Popo cries out. "You can leave your things behind. Above all, your life is what matters most."
It's hard to leave my favorite things behind, but I can get them again someday. There's only one me, after all.
Smoke Rises, So Keep Your Body Low
This time Saerom tries to just walk out standing up, but starts coughing — cough, cough.
Popo explains. "Hot smoke floats up high. That's why we have to stay low, where there's air to breathe."
Cover your nose and mouth with a clean cloth or towel, and crawl low along the floor.
Follow the clear air down below the smoke. So that's what really mattered!
Close the Door! Don't Give the Fire Air
Saerom wants to leave the door wide open so the firefighters can come in.
But Popo shakes his head. "If you leave the door open, wind comes in through the gap and the fire grows bigger."
Fire breathes too. Give it air (oxygen) and it blazes even higher.
So gently closing the door on your way out is the way to keep the fire trapped. I had no idea, really!
Follow This Order to Get Out Safely
Call for help first, leave your things, stay low while covering your nose and mouth, and close the door.
Saerom did each step calmly, one after another —
And just like that, you can make it out safely!
The firefighter who rushed over broke into a big smile. "I'm so glad you weren't hurt. Saerom, you stayed calm and did wonderfully!"
Then he shared a little tip too. "Keep the area around outlets free of dust and moisture, and using a power strip with its own switch is even safer."
It was confusing at first, but learning it one step at a time makes me feel reassured. Stay fire-safe, day and night!
Three Things We'll Really Try After Closing the App
Bobo suggests first. "How about we go on a treasure hunt to find the red fire extinguishers hiding in our home and the school hallways?"
If you know where they are ahead of time, you can find one right away when it really matters.
Ppuri raises a hand high. "What's the emergency phone number to call when a fire starts in your country? Let's be sure to memorize it together with our parents!"
I added one too. Covering your nose and mouth with a clean towel and crawling low along the floor — practicing that.
Smoke floats up, so we stay low! If we practice ahead of time like a game, our bodies will remember.
Let's Learn It Ahead of Time, Before a Real Emergency Comes
Fires don't happen often, but if one ever strikes even once, it's truly scary.
That's why I want to look back on what I learned today now and then, so my body remembers it well.
Call for help first, me before my things, stay low, close the door. Just remember these four things.
The most important thing is just one. Even if a fire starts, don't panic — stay calm.
Now I should start by finding where our home's fire extinguisher is. Want to look together? Hee hee.
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Want to practice what to do in a fire yourself?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What should you do first when a fire starts?
First, shout "Fire!" loudly to alert everyone, then call your emergency number from a safe place. It helps to practice saying your home address clearly ahead of time. Don't waste time gathering your favorite belongings — protecting your life comes first. Even with a small spark, don't try to put it out yourself without an adult; tell a grown-up.
Q. How do you get out when a room is full of smoke?
Hot smoke rises upward, so cover your nose and mouth with a clean towel or cloth, get as low as you can, and crawl out along the floor. There's more breathable air down below the smoke. On your way out, close the door to slow the fire from spreading.
Q. How can you prevent fires at home?
Keep the area around outlets free of dust and moisture, and use a power strip with its own switch for added safety. Never pour water on an electrical fire (risk of explosion and electric shock). Always handle fire tools like matches, lighters, and gas stoves together with an adult, and make a habit of learning where your home's fire extinguisher is and your emergency phone number together with your family.
I'll be back with another fun lesson story soon. Warmly, Didi.