How to Stop Drop and Roll

We’ve all heard what we are supposed to do if we ever catch on fire: stop, drop and roll. As simple as it sounds, there are ways to make this sequence more effective. A few strategic tips will help you stop, drop and roll in the best way to put out the fire.

Instructions

1. Get away from the flames. You can stop, drop and roll all you want, but it will not work if you are in the middle of the fire. Get away from whatever is aflame or out of the burning building.

2. Stop. Immediately come to a halt. Running while you are on fire will only feed the flames with more oxygen.

3. Drop. Get down on the ground as quickly as you can, with as much of your body touching the ground as possible. Lie like a long log, not crumpled up in the fetal or other position. Keep your arms at your sides and your body compact.

4. Roll. Vigorously roll your elongated body back and forth along the ground. Complete a full revolution several times to squash flames on all sides of your body.

5. Keep rolling until all flames are out. This may take seconds or a few minutes, depending on how severely you were on fire.

6. Get help. Alert a neighbor, passerby or anyone you can to please call an ambulance, and get yourself to the hospital. Even seemingly minor burns should be checked out to make sure they do not cause major damage.

Tips & Warnings

• Throw off any burning clothes if they can be easily removed. If your jacket is on fire, for instance, get it off as soon as possible. Likewise, get rid of burning hats, gloves or other easy-to-remove items.

• Do not take time to take off clothing if the flames are too far gone. Using the stop, drop and roll method will help you more than letting more flames fan while you unzip your coat.

• Watch where you roll. You don’t want to drop down on shards of broken glass or off the edge of a cliff. Pick an area that is as flat as possible and does not lead down a hill to the highway.