Stay low to the ground during a fire, test doors before opening them, and never use elevators — once outside, don’t look back

Cost: Installing one or two standalone smoke detectors at home costs only a few dozen yuan. It’s also worth checking in advance which two exits are available on your hallway.

In plain terms: Drop to the ground and crawl toward the nearest exit, staying under any smoke layer. Before opening a door, touch the handle and door surface first; if either feels hot or smoke is seeping through the crack, don’t open it — instead, head toward the other exit. Open the door slowly, and shut it immediately if thick smoke rushes in. Always use stairs instead of elevators, since power outages can trap you inside them. Once outside, never turn back to retrieve belongings. If your clothes catch fire, stop where you are, lie down, roll on the ground, and shield your face with your hands.

Benefit: FEMA’s official fire escape guidance matches these steps exactly: “Drop to the ground and crawl under smoke toward an exit.” It also advises testing door handles and surfaces first — “If they’re hot, or smoke is coming through the crack, don’t open the door; use the other exit instead.” Open doors slowly, and close them at once if heavy smoke appears. For clothing fires, the same advice applies: “Stop, lie down, roll, and shield your face.” If escape proves impossible, close the door and seal any gaps or vents with cloth or tape, then call for help and state your location. China’s emergency management department shares these same recommendations: never use elevators, head downward if the fire is small, cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel or mask, and evacuate while staying low to the ground.

Evidence grade: B

Sources:US FEMA Ready.gov. Home Fires. https://www.ready.gov/home-fires；应急管理部 (2019). 公共场所火灾自救方法：「逃生时不要乘坐电梯，当火势不大时，要尽量往楼层下面跑」「可用湿毛巾或口罩蒙鼻，匍匐或弯腰撤离」. https://www.mem.gov.cn/kp/shaq/201904/t20190401_366015.shtml；贵州省消防救援总队 (2020). 消防常识丨逃生三要点：「湿毛巾对折3次（叠成8层），除烟率比较高，但烟和毒气浓度过高时，过滤效果就无法保证了。另外，毛巾过湿会导致呼吸困难」. https://gz.119.gov.cn/xfkp/xfcs/202010/t20201026_71437855.html

Notes: Elevators are a major risk during power outages — never use them. Never return inside to grab possessions. Only head upward if you’re certain the roof exit is open; jumping from heights is strictly prohibited. Fold a wet towel three times to create eight layers — too much water makes it heavy and hard to breathe through. Even a wet towel offers little protection against thick smoke or toxic gases.