How Does Stop, Drop & Roll Put Out a Fire?

Every child and adult should know stop, drop and roll -- it's one of the most important fire-safety techniques, and the most effective way to extinguish hair or clothing that has caught on fire. Each of the three steps works to prevent injury, minimize the damage caused by the fire and extinguish the flames. Stop, drop and roll is effective on its own, or in conjunction with firefighting equipment.

Stop

• The first step is to stop moving. Most people's natural instinct, on having their clothes or hair catch fire, is to run, either to find help or in a panic. Because flames feed on oxygen in the air, running only makes the fire spread more quickly: the movement fans the flames and feeds the fire.

  Stopping all movement stops this fanning action, giving the fire less oxygen and slowing its spread. Stopping also helps keep the fire victim from panicking, making it easier for people nearby to help him.

Drop

• The second step is to cover the face and drop to the ground. Flames spread upwards, and if the victim remains standing the flames will move up the body and burn the victim's face. Dropping flat on the ground gives the flames less vertical distance to climb, which slows their spread -- fire spreads upwards faster than it spreads side to side.

  Covering the face with the hands also keeps the victim from trying to pat the flames out, which can burn the hands and may fan the flames and make them spread.

Roll

• The third step is to roll back and forth on the ground until the flames are extinguished. You can use a nearby rug or blanket to smother the flames during the rolling.

  Rolling on the floor deprives the flames of oxygen, thereby smothering them. The rolling action ensures that the flames are extinguished on all sides of the body. It also keeps the victim confined, allowing the supplemental use of a fire extinguisher or fire blanket.

Psychology

• Stop, drop and roll is an effective technique for extinguishing flames on clothing and hair, but it also has an important psychological component. The three simple steps are easy to remember and practice, and provide fire victims with a clear routine they can use should they catch fire. This helps prevent panicking, especially in children, and makes it easier for firefighters or other nearby people to help extinguish the fire.