A Factsheet On The Nature Of Fire

This Is Fire!
A Factsheet on the Nature of Fire
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.
EEach year more than 4,000 Americans die and 20,000 are injured in fires, many of which
could be prevented.
The U. S. Fire Administration (USFA), a part of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security,
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!
five minutes a room can get so hot
Fire Safety Tips
T
that everything in it ignites at once:
here is liTTle Time!
in The evenT of a fire,
this is called flashover.
remember Time is The biggesT
In less than 30 seconds a small flame
enemy and every second
can get completely out of control and
Fire is DARK!
counTs!
turn into a major fire. It only takes
fire isn’T brighT, iT’s piTch
Escape first, then call for help. Develop
minutes for thick black smoke to fill
black.
a home fire escape plan and designate
a house. In minutes, a house can be
Fire starts bright, but quickly produces
a meeting place outside. Make sure
engulfed in flames. Most fires occur in
black smoke and complete darkness.
everyone in the family knows two
the home when people are asleep. If
If you wake up to a fire you may
ways to escape from every room.
you wake up to a fire, you won’t have
be blinded, disoriented and unable
Practice feeling your way out with
time to grab valuables because fire
to find your way around the home
your eyes closed. Never stand up in a
spreads too quickly and the smoke is
you’ve lived in for years.
fire, always crawl low under the smoke
too thick. There is only time to escape.
and try to keep your mouth covered.
Fire is DEADLY!
Never return to a burning building for
smoke and Toxic gases kill
any reason; it may cost you your life.
more people Than flames do.
Finally, having a working smoke alarm
Fire uses up the oxygen you need and
dramatically increases your chances
produces smoke and poisonous gases
of surviving a fire. And remember to
that kill. Breathing even small amounts
practice a home escape plan frequently
of smoke and toxic gases can make
with your family.
you drowsy, disoriented and short of
Fire is HOT!
breath. The odorless, colorless fumes
For more information contact:
can lull you into a deep sleep before
The U. S. Fire Administration
heaT is more ThreaTening
the flames reach your door. You may
16825 South Seton Avenue
Than flames.
not wake up in time to escape.
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
A fire’s heat alone can kill. Room
or
temperatures in a fire can be 100
Visit the USFA Web site:
degrees at floor level and rise to 600
www.usfa.fema.gov
degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super
hot air will scorch your lungs. This
Homeland
heat can melt clothes to your skin. In
Security
March 2006