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Every
day Americans experience the horror of fire. But
most people don't understand fire. Only when we
know the true nature of fire can we prepare
ourselves and our families. Each year more than
5,000 Americans die and more than 25,000 are
injured in fires, many of which could be
prevented.
Your
Abilene Fire Department, believes that fire deaths
can be reduced by teaching people the basic facts
about fire. Below are some simple facts that
explain the particular characteristics of fire.
Fire is FAST!
There is little time!
In
less than 30 seconds a small flame can get
completely out of control and turn into a major
fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke
to fill a house. In minutes, a house can be
engulfed in flames. Most fires occur in the home
when people are asleep. If you wake up to a fire,
you won't have time to grab valuables because fire
spreads too quickly and the smoke is too thick. There
is only time to escape.
Fire is HOT!
Heat is more threatening than flames.
A
fire's heat alone can kill. Room temperatures in a
fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to
600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super hot
air will scorch your lungs. This heat can melt
clothes to your skin. In five minutes a room can
get so hot that everything in it ignites at once:
this is called flashover.
Fire is DARK!
Fire isn't bright, it's pitch black.
Fire
starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke
and complete darkness. If you wake up to a fire
you may be blinded, disoriented and unable to find
your way around the home you've lived in for
years.
Fire is DEADLY!
Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames
do.
Fire
uses up the oxygen you need to breathe and
produces smoke and poisonous gases that kill.
Breathing even small amounts of smoke and toxic
gases can make you drowsy, disoriented and short
of breath. The odorless, colorless fumes can lull
you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your
door. You may not wake up in time to escape.
Fire Safety Tips
In the
event of a fire, remember time is the biggest
enemy and every second counts!
Escape
first, then call for help. Develop a home fire
escape plan and designate a meeting place outside.
Make sure everyone in the family knows two ways to
escape from every room. Practice feeling your way
out with your eyes closed. Never stand up in a
fire, always crawl low under the smoke and try to
keep your mouth covered. Never return to a burning
building for any reason; it may cost you your
life.
Finally,
having a working smoke alarm dramatically
increases your chances of surviving a fire. And
remember to practice a home escape plan frequently
with your family. |
