A fire in a high-rise residential building usually can be confined to the apartment where it starts. However, smoke and heat can travel throughout the building, especially upward.

High-rise residential buildings (usually ones with eight floors or more) are constructed to be fireproof. Most of what is inside the buildings, including your furnishings and belongings, can burn and produce a tremendous amount of heat and smoke.

Ways to keep your apartment fire safe

• Never keep rubbish in the hallway. Make sure it is stored properly and collected regularly.
• Don't put items in the trash chute that are too big and may get stuck. Things caught in the chute easily can turn a fire in the basement into a fire on your floor.
• Be careful not to overload electrical circuits. Short circuits are the cause of many fires.
• Cook with care. Keep baking soda handy to smother stove fires.
• Never smoke in bed and make sure that there are no smoldering butts when you empty ashtrays.
• Test smoke detectors weekly and replace batteries twice a year (the beginning & end of Daylight Savings time).
• Make sure that your apartment door is tight fitting and complies with the fire code.
• Inspect your exit stair doors. They must be self-closing, snap shut and unlock from both sides. If they don't meet this standard, report it to the superintendent or the Fire Department.

Things to do:

• Keep flashlights ready and in a handy place.
• Install and maintain smoke detectors. Owners of high-rise buildings are required by law to install one detector in each apartment, but its maintenance is up to you.
• Report fire hazards to your superintendent. Blocked exits, piled up trash, missing exit lights and open fire doors are violations of law. If your superintendent doesn't correct them, call the Fire Department at (718) 999-2541 and report the condition. Your life may depend on getting the violations corrected.

If the fire is not in your apartment

• Stay inside rather than entering smoke-filled hallways, especially if the fire is above your apartment.
• Keep your door closed.

If the fire is in your apartment

• Get everyone out. Stay low as you go out. Close but don't lock all doors in the apartment as you leave.
• Alert others on the floor by knocking on doors. Activate the fire alarm if there is one.
• Go down the nearest STAIRWAY, holding the railing.
• Call the Fire Department from a floor BELOW THE FIRE or from a street fire alarm box outside.

If there is a fire

• Stay Calm.
• Do Not Use the Elevator.

Planning ahead can save your life

Things to know:

• The layout of your floor.
• The location of stair exits.
• The number of doors between your apartment and the exit stairs. This is essential knowledge to find the exit in the dark.
• Where your apartment key is located. Take the key with you if you are forced to evacuate.
• The location of fire alarm boxes (if your building has them.)

Things to Do:

• Keep flashlights ready and in a handy place.
• Install and maintain smoke detectors. Owners of high-rise buildings are required by law to install one in each apartment but its maintenance is up to you.
• Report fire hazards to your superrintendent. Blocked exits, piled-up trash, missing exit lights and open doors are violations of law. If your superintendent doesn't correct them, call the FIre Department at (718) and report the condition. Your life may depend on getting the violations corrected.

Remember

• Never use the elevator during a fire!
• Never leave apartment doors open if you flee a fire.
• Smoke Detectors Save Lives!