Understanding Fire Basics

What we will learn today We will learn what fire is, how fire acts and why fire causes so many injuries and deaths

We have already learned that: Fire is not like we see on television It is very hot, moves very fast and makes everything very dark

We have also learned that: It takes three things to cause a fire: Heat - or something that is hot Oxygen - or the air all around us Fuel - or something that will burn

We call this a Fire Triangle Do you remember why we call it a fire triangle? Can you give some examples of heat and fuel sources? What happens if we remove one side of the triangle?

When a fire fighter puts water on a fire, he cools it - removing the heat source Oxygen - or the air all around us Fuel - or something that will burn

When you stop putting wood on a campfire, you remove the fuel. Heat - or something that is hot Oxygen - or the air all around us

When you stop, drop and roll, you take away the oxygen and smother the fire Heat - or something that is hot Fuel - or something that will burn

What is the best way to prevent a fire? Keep open flames or hot things away from anything that will burn Don’t play with matches or lighters Stay away from space heaters, fireplaces, grills Keep your distance from campfires Stay out of the kitchen when mom or dad is cooking

Did you know? That most people who die in fires don’t die from the flames They die from lack of oxygen (suffocation) fire eats all of the oxygen the bigger the fire - the more oxygen it takes from us They die from the heat fire gets very hot, very quickly the more fuel a fire has, the hotter it gets They die from breathing the smoke things that burn cause toxic (poison) smoke furniture carpeting wallpaper curtains

That is why: Crawl low under the smoke air is cleaner and cooler Get out immediately before the fire gets too hot and smoky

REMEMBER - Fire moves very fast and gets very hot very quickly - so get out immediately and stay out!