In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a building can be engulfed in flames. Fires are the number one common disaster in the US each year, costing about $7 billion in damages. Texas, Pennsylvania, and California lead the nation in fire-related deaths. Knowing what to do when a fire alarm sounds could be the difference between life and death. Each building is different and has different layouts. Know your exits. Know your escape routes (always have two). Know where to go.
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| Do not use the elevators during a fire | Can happen anytime |
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| If the Fire Alarm is sounded always treat it as a real emergency. | Can happen to any building |
- Before a Fire
- During a Fire
- After a Fire
Sign up for MSU Alert: The number one way to receive an emergency alert from MSU Texas is through an MSU Alert. Visit MSU Alert for more information on how to sign up and keep your information up to date.
Download MSU Safety App: Safety starts with you! Download the MSU Texas Safety app available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. The app lets you access critical information right in your hand when it matters most.
Plan: Know your escape routes to get out of the building. Always have two routes in case your first path is blocked. Know where fire alarm pull stations are located and where fire extinguishers are.
Don't: Never leave an open flame unattended. Follow the university fire code at all times and use common sense when dealing with hot stuff.
- When a fire alarm sounds, evacuate to a designated safe area. Assume all alarms - fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide - are real.
- Do not re-enter a building until declared safe by emergency personnel.
- Test closed doors for heat with the back of your hand or forearm on the lower and upper part of the door. If hot or warm, do not open find an alternate route.
- If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll.
- If you cannot leave your area, close the door, stay low to the floor, and hang a white or light-colored cloth outside the window.
Rescue: Assist anyone in immediate danger and help get them to a safe area as fast as possible.
Alarm: Alert others by activating the fire alarm system and call 9-1-1 and tell dispatch where the fire is located.
Contain: Confine the fire as much as possible by closing doors and windows behind you during the evacuation.
Extinguish: Only attempt to put out the fire if it is small, you have the proper equipment, and it is safe to do so yourself. Never put the fire between you and the exit. See Below how to use a fire extinguisher.
Pull: Remove the pin in the handle of the fire extinguisher.
Aim: Point the nozzle at the base of the fire.
Squeeze: Hold the fire extinguisher and squeeze the lever slowly.
Sweep: As you squeeze the lever, sweep side to side, extinguishing the fire.
Stay Informed: Continue to listen to emergency management officials for information about the incident.
Contact Your Family and Loved Ones: Let your family and close friends know that you're okay, so they can help spread the word. Text messages or social media are more reliable forms of communication than phone calls.
Follow Emergency Personnel Instructions: Listen to university officials and follow their guidance. Watch for hazards and damages. Stay out of damaged buildings.
Help Your Fellow Mustangs: If you come across people that are injured and you are properly trained, provide first aid to victims if needed until help arrives.
