Fire’s Hidden Dangers

1. Fire’s Hidden Dangers

2. What we will learn today • We will talk about what is so dangerous about fire and how fire produces different conditions that can affect your ability to survive a fire.

3. We have already learned that: • Fire is very hot • Fire is very fast • Fire produces very dark smoke that contains poisons

4. Most deaths and injuries are not caused by the flames • excessive heat • temperatures can reach 500 degrees in less than three minutes • inhaling the smoke • lack of oxygen (suffocation) • Why do people die in fires?

6. Heat and smoke rise • important to crawl low in smoke • air is cleaner and cooler

7. Gets so thick and black that you can’t see • can’t find your way out • Can cause irritation when inhaled • causes choking and you can’t breathe • Can cause confusion because you can’t see or breathe • Why is smoke dangerous?

8. Materials that make poisons when burned • Couches and chairs • fabric treated with stain repellants • wood treated with preservatives • Carpet • treated with stain repellants • Curtains and blinds • treated with cleaning solvents • Stereos and televisions • made with plastics that have chemicals in them • What makes smoke so dangerous?

9. Oxygen makes up about 21% of the air we breathe • We need that 21% to survive • Anything less can harm our bodies • The more a fire grows, the more oxygen it takes and the less we have • Fire Eats Oxygen

10. 21% Normal Conditions 17% Some muscle impairment-increased breathing 12% Dizziness, headache, fatigue 9% Unconsciousness 6% Death within a few minutes

11. The best way to prevent heat and smoke exposure is to prevent the fire in the first place • Never play with fire • Keep things that will burn away from heat sources

12. Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level • Make sure you have an escape plan and practice it with your entire family • Important to get out immediately • Crawl low where the good, clean air is • To help you escape if you do have a fire in your home