Fire Safety
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 3,500 Americans die and approximately 18,300 are injured in fires, many of which could be prevented.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) 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 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.
Read more fire safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration.
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Recommended Links
Fire Prevention & Safety Checklist - American Red Cross - Fire Safety - FEMA
- Learn About Fire: The Nature of Fire - United States Fire Administration
- Appliance Fires - United States Fire Administration
- BeFireSmart - Liberty Mutual
- Bedroom Fire Safety- United States Fire Administration
- Campus Fire Safety- United States Fire Administration
- Candles- National Fire Protection Association
- Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings - United States Fire Administration
- Clothes Dryer Safety - National Fire Protection Association
- Cooking Fire Safety - United States Fire Administration
- Cooking Safety - National Fire Protection Association
- Earthquakes and Fire Safety - United States Fire Administration
- Escape Planning - United States Fire Administration
- Fire Extinguishers - National Fire Protection Association
- Fire Extinguishers - United States Fire Administration
- Fire Safety - American Academy of Pediatrics
- Fire Safety at Work - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Fire Safety for Kids - University of Oklahoma
- Fire Safety for Older Adults and Their Caregivers- United States Fire Administration
- Fire Safety for People with Disabilities and Their Caregivers- United States Fire Administration
- Fire Safety for the Visually Impaired - United States Fire Administration
- Fire Safety for People Who Are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing - National Fire Protection Association
- Fire Safety Information - NY State Office of Fire Prevention and Control
- Fire Safety Publications - Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Fire Safety Song - Do2Learn
- Focus On Fire Safety - FEMA
- Gasoline and Propane - National Fire Protection Association
- Generator Safety - National Fire Protection Association
- Heating (Homes & Fireplaces) Fire Safety - United States Fire Administration
- Highrise Fire Safety - United States Fire Administration
- Hoarding and Fire Safety - National Fire Protection Association
- Holiday and Seasonal Fire Safety - United States Fire Administration
- Home Fires - Homeland Security & FEMA
- Home Hazardous Materials Fire Safety - United States Fire Administration
- Household Extension Cords Can Cause Fires - Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Hurricane & Tornado Fire Safety - United States Fire Administration
- Hotel/Motel Fire Safety - United States Fire Administration
- Kid Page - United States Fire Administration
- KidsHealth for Kids: What To Do In a Fire - KidsHealth/Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media
- KidsHealth for Parents: Fire Safety - KidsHealth/Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media
- MedlinePlus: Fire Safety - National Library of Medicine
- National Fire Protection Association
- Nursing Home Safety - National Fire Protection Association
- Portable Fire Extinguishers On the Job - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Preventing Injuries: How Can I Keep My Child Safe? - American Academy of Family Physicians
- Residential Sprinkler Systems - United States Fire Administration
- Rural Fire Prevention Checklist - United States Fire Administration
- Smoke Alarms - United States Fire Administration
- Smoke Alarms for People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing - National Fire Protection Association
- Smokey the Bear - US Forest Service, National Association of State Foresters, Ad Council
- Smoking and Fire Safety - United States Fire Administration
- Sparky the Fire Dog - National Fire Protection Association
- Teaching Children Fire Safety - United States Fire Administration
- Wildfire Safety - United States Fire Administration
- Wildfires - Homeland Safety & FEMA
