Req 3a — Stop, Drop, Roll, Cool, Call

If someone’s clothing catches fire, the first few seconds are critical. This simple five-step technique can prevent severe burns and save a life. It’s designed to be instinctive—so simple that a young child can remember it under stress.

Why Stop, Drop, and Roll Works

When clothing catches fire, your instinct is to run. Don’t. Running feeds the flames with oxygen and spreads the fire faster. Instead, you must smother the flames by removing oxygen—and the fastest way to do that is to roll on the ground.

When you drop and roll, you accomplish three things:

1. You stop fanning the flames with movement.
2. You press the burning fabric against the ground, which smothers flames and removes oxygen.
3. You get the fire low, below your face, so you’re not breathing flames and smoke.

The Steps

Step 1: STOP

Stop moving immediately. Do not run. The temptation to run is overwhelming, but it makes the fire worse. Take a breath (if you can without breathing fire), and mentally prepare for the next step.

Step 2: DROP

Fall or lower yourself to the ground as quickly as possible. You’re not diving gracefully—you’re urgently getting to the ground. If your clothing is already burning on your head or face, covering your face with your hands as you fall offers some protection against flame and smoke inhalation.

Step 3: ROLL

Roll back and forth across the ground, covering the flames with your body. Roll multiple times—at least 10–15 rolls. The goal is to press burning fabric against the ground and cut off oxygen. If you can, cover your head and face with your hands to minimize burns to sensitive areas. Keep rolling until you think the flames are out, then roll a few more times to be sure.

Step 4: COOL

Once the flames are out, cool the burned area immediately. If water is available (a stream, a bucket, a hose), soak the burned area for at least 10 minutes. Cooling stops the burning process and reduces pain and further damage. If no water is available, use cool air—but do not apply ice directly to the skin, as it can cause additional tissue damage.

Step 5: CALL

Call 911 immediately. Even if the burns seem minor, a medical professional should evaluate them. Burns can be deceiving—what looks small on the surface might be deeper than it appears.

Preventing Clothing Fires

Most clothing fires happen in the kitchen, where people wear loose fabric near open flames or hot surfaces. The best defense is prevention:

• Wear fitted clothing when cooking (not oversized robes or baggy sleeves).
• Tie back long hair.
• Keep flammable items away from the stove (paper towels, wooden spoons with loose handles, kitchen towels).
• Never lean over a stovetop. Flames from a burner can ignite fabric on your chest or shoulder.
• Be aware of open flames. Candles, fireplaces, and campfires are stationary hazards—stay at a safe distance.

For more details on clothing fires and prevention, see Req 3b.

Practice

The best way to prepare is to practice the steps before you need them. In a safe environment with an adult (your counselor, a parent, or a firefighter), walk through the motions:

1. Stand upright.
2. Pretend clothing catches fire.
3. Stop and mentally prepare.
4. Drop to the ground.
5. Roll (or mime rolling if doing it on a clean floor is awkward).

The physical memory helps when stress takes over.

Degrees of Burns

Understanding burn severity helps you know when to seek emergency care:

First-degree (Superficial) — Redness, like a sunburn. The outer layer of skin is damaged. Painful but not life-threatening. Cool the area and apply sunburn relief. Heals in a week or two.

Second-degree (Partial-thickness) — Blistering, swelling, wet appearance. The burn goes through the outer layer and into deeper skin layers. Serious pain. Risk of infection if blisters are broken. Requires medical attention.

Third-degree (Full-thickness) — Charred, white, or leathery appearance. The burn destroys all layers of skin and possibly goes into muscle or bone. Paradoxically, third-degree burns can be less painful at first because nerve endings are destroyed. These are life-threatening and require emergency care immediately. Do not remove stuck clothing—let the medical team handle it.

Call 911 for any burn larger than a few square inches, any burn to the face, hands, feet, genitals, or joints, or any burn of any size that’s second-degree or worse.

Now let’s explore how and why clothing catches fire, and what types of fabric are safer.