If fire gets on your clothes, it can cause serious burn injuries to your skin. That's why we all need to be very careful when we’re around fire sources like matches, lighters and candles. If your clothes do catch on fire, it's important to act quickly to extinguish the fire and minimize the burn injury.

How to Stop, Drop & Roll

Probationary Firefighter Tayler Peters shows us how to correctly perform "stop, drop and roll."

If fire gets on your clothes, stay calm and quickly perform "stop, drop and roll."

1. ⬤ Stop: Stop where you are and stay calm. Don’t run or wave your arms. Fire needs air to burn just like people need air to breathe. So if you run or panic, it will create more air and the fire can spread more quickly.
2. ⬤ Drop: Quickly drop to the ground, lay flat with your legs straight, and cover your eyes and mouth with your hands. Don’t worry about trying to find a good place on the floor; drop where you are.
3. ⬤ Roll: With your face still covered, roll over completely, back and forth, until the flames are smothered. Don't worry about the type of ground surface you're on (carpet, concrete, grass, rug, etc.), just roll.
4. Cool: After the fire is out, cool any minor burns by running them under cold water for at least 10-15 minutes. Afterwards, cover any burns with sterile bandages or seek medical treatment.
5. Call 9-1-1: If you have a severe burn, seek medical attention right away by calling 9-1-1.

While fire can be a scary experience, education and practice are the best tools you have for handling a fire. Practice "stop, drop and roll" with your friends and family at least twice a year and add it to your home escape plan. The more you practice, the better prepared you’ll be to help yourself or a friend.

Remember, do not perform this procedure if you just get a burn or if you hear a smoke alarm. If your home catches on fire, you should get out as quickly as possible and call 9-1-1 (learn more about creating a home escape plan).

How to Stop, Drop & Roll in a Mobility Device

If you use a wheelchair, scooter, or other mobility device and you are able to get to the floor, quickly lock your mobility device and get on the floor to roll until the flames are out. If you cannot make it to the floor, use a blanket or towel to help you or others smother the flames. Consider mounting a small personal extinguisher in an accessible place if you know that you will not be able to perform "stop, drop and roll."