9. The effects of fire – Smoke inhalation
Smoke inhalation occurs when you breathe in the products of combustion (burning) during a fire.
The smoke is a mixture of heated particles and gasses and when inhaled can damage the body by simple asphyxiation.
Smoke inhalation is the NUMBER ONE cause of death related to fires.
In a house fire, you might think that the smoke would wake you and give you and your family time to escape.
But, after just two or three breaths of toxic smoke, you would most likely be unconscious. Your lungs would fill up and you would not be able to breathe. It is very unpleasant and similar to drowning.
There are numerous signs of smoke inhalation, these include:
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Burns to the nose, mouth and face
- Hoarseness or croakiness in the voice
- Headache
- Acute mental status change
- Carbonaceous sputum (burned saliva).
Damaged airways and lungs prevent oxygen from getting into the blood and respiratory failure may then develop. This could result in possible death.
If an individual has any of these symptoms, they should be checked over by a qualified medical practitioner.
Contact 111 for non emergency advice or 999 for emergency services.
.svg)
