This cheat sheet teaches what to do if clothing catches fire using the memory aid Stop, Drop, and Roll. Students need these steps because quick, calm action can help put out flames and prevent more serious injury. The guide is designed to be easy to remember during an emergency and easy to review with a class or family.
It also reminds students when to get help from an adult or emergency services.
The core safety rule is to stop moving, drop to the ground, cover the face, and roll back and forth until the flames are out. Running makes a fire burn faster because moving air can feed the flames. After the fire is out, the person should cool the burn with cool running water and tell a trusted adult right away.
If the fire is serious or someone is hurt, call emergency services such as 911.
Key Facts
- Stop means freeze in place because running can make flames grow by adding more moving air.
- Drop means get down to the ground right away so the flames do not rise toward the face.
- Cover your face with your hands while dropping and rolling to help protect your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Roll means turn over and over, side to side, until all flames are completely out.
- The safety phrase is Stop, Drop, Cover, and Roll, which helps you remember the full order of actions.
- If you see someone whose clothing is on fire, tell them loudly and clearly, Stop, Drop, and Roll.
- After flames are out, cool a burn under cool running water for about 20 minutes if it is safe to do so.
- Call 911 or your local emergency number if clothing catches fire, burns are serious, or an adult tells you to call.
Vocabulary
- Stop
- Stop means to freeze in place and not run when clothing catches fire.
- Drop
- Drop means to safely get down to the ground as quickly as possible.
- Roll
- Roll means to turn your body over and over on the ground to smother flames.
- Smother
- Smother means to cut off the air that a fire needs to keep burning.
- Burn
- A burn is an injury to skin or body tissue caused by heat, fire, chemicals, or electricity.
- Emergency Services
- Emergency services are trained helpers, such as firefighters, paramedics, or police, who respond when people need urgent help.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Running when clothing catches fire is wrong because moving air can feed the flames and spread the fire faster.
- Standing up while trying to put out flames is wrong because flames can rise toward the face, hair, and breathing area.
- Forgetting to cover the face is wrong because the eyes, nose, and mouth need protection while dropping and rolling.
- Stopping the roll too soon is wrong because small flames or hot spots may still be burning on clothing.
- Putting ice directly on a burn is wrong because ice can damage skin; use cool running water and get adult help.
Practice Questions
- 1 Number the steps in the correct order: Roll, Stop, Drop, Cover your face.
- 2 If you cool a burn for 20 minutes and have already cooled it for 7 minutes, how many more minutes should you continue if it is safe?
- 3 A class practices Stop, Drop, and Roll 3 times, and each practice takes 2 minutes. How many total minutes did they practice?
- 4 Explain why running is dangerous if clothing catches fire, and describe what a student should do instead.
Understanding What to do if clothing catches fire (Stop, Drop, and Roll) Memory Aid
Fire keeps burning when it has heat, fuel, and oxygen. Clothing can act as fuel, especially loose sleeves, scarves, or synthetic fabrics. The fabric may melt when heated, which can make a burn worse because hot material sticks to skin.
Getting low against the ground reduces the upward path of flames. Rolling presses fabric against the floor and limits the oxygen reaching it.
This is why a person needs to keep rolling until there is no glow, smoke, or heat from the clothing. A fire can restart if a small burning area is missed.
After any clothing fire, the person needs medical help from an adult and emergency services. Burns can be deeper than they first appear. Skin may look red, white, brown, or black.
It may hurt badly, feel numb, or form blisters. Cool running water removes heat that is still trapped in the skin. Ice is not safe for burns because it can damage injured skin further.
Do not put butter, toothpaste, oil, or creams on a fresh burn. Do not pull away clothing that is stuck to the skin. Keep the person warm and calm while waiting for trained help.
Students can help without putting themselves in danger. Use a loud, simple instruction so the person can act quickly. Get an adult immediately and ask someone to call emergency services.
If there is smoke or a larger fire nearby, leave the area using the planned escape route. Stay low if smoke is in the room because cleaner air is often closer to the floor.
Never go back into a burning building for a backpack, phone, pet, or another item. Once outside, stay outside and meet at the family or school meeting place.
Prevention matters because many clothing fires start near everyday heat sources. Keep loose clothing, hair, paper, and oven gloves away from stove burners, candles, fireplaces, grills, and heaters. Turn pot handles inward when cooking so they cannot be knocked over.
In science class, tie back long hair, wear goggles, and follow the teacher's instructions around flames or hot equipment. Learn where the nearest exits, fire alarm, safety shower, and fire extinguisher are located, but only use safety equipment when a trained adult directs you. Practising the steps calmly helps your body remember them during a frightening event.