Stop, Drop, and Roll: Why It Still Matters

Stop, Drop, and Roll has been taught in fire safety education for decades, yet confusion about when and how to use it still costs lives. It is the definitive response when a person's clothing catches fire, and it should be drilled into every family member, especially children.

Stop immediately. Running—whether toward help, toward water, or in panic—only fans the flames and causes them to spread faster. The moment your clothing ignites, freeze in place.

Drop to the ground, covering your face with your hands to protect your eyes and airway. Lying flat on the ground cuts off the fire's access to oxygen from above and makes it harder for wind to fan the flames.

Roll slowly and continuously until the flames are extinguished. Rolling pushes air away from the fire, starving it of oxygen. Continue rolling until you are certain the fire is out, then stop, drop, and roll again if any flames reignite.

After extinguishing the fire, cool any burns with room-temperature water, cover with a clean cloth, and seek immediate medical attention. Do not apply butter, oil, or ice to burns.