As smoke poured through the halls of a New York City high-rise on Sunday，killing 17 people in the Bronx，tenants （租客） were faced with a life-or-death decision：Should they stay put or try to escape？According to the National Fire Protection Association，just what you should do in a fire，though，depends partly on the design of the building and where the fire is.
EXIT PLAN
Generally，people should exit a burning building if safe to do so.They should feel doors before opening them，leaving them closed and looking for another way out if they are hot to the touch.Residents should shut all doors behind them to prevent the spread of smoke and fire.They should be sure to take their keys with them in case they have to return to their apartments.In most high-rise buildings，the nearest stairwell is the emergency exit.
FIREPROOF BUILDINGS
Every apartment in New York City is required to have a notice posted on the door saying whether the building is considered fireproof or not，based on the way it was constructed.Those notices instruct people living in fireproof，high-rise buildings not to exit，but instead shelter in place unless the fire is in their own apartment.
Residents who shelter in place should use wet towels，wet sheets or tape to seal doors and prevent smoke from entering.They should call 911 to alert firefighters that they are trapped and give their exact location.Trapped residents can open windows narrowly for fresh air or to signal to firefighters，but they should not break their windows.That can allow smoke to pour in from outside，leaving them with no way to keep it out.
SMOKE VS.FIRE
Most fire deaths are not caused by burns，but by smoke.Homes today tend to contain a lot of products made with chemical fibers that burn at high temperatures，helping fires spread rapidly.They also generate poisonous gases that can overcome people within moments，which can cause organ damage.
PREPARATION IS KEY
Homes need good，working smoke detectors that are checked often.In addition，residents need to have an escape plan and practice that plan.In an apartment building，residents need to ask the building manager about the emergency protections.
