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Facts About Poisonous Gases in House Fires

Few things will destroy a home as quickly and completely as fire. While the fire itself is a terrible and dangerous component, what makes a house fire so devastating is the combination of fire, smoke and the production of poisonous gases. These things combined have the power to kill quickly (and sometimes quietly).

  1. Danger Level

    • When it comes to a house fire, smoke and noxious gases are the biggest threats. Asphyxiation by poisonous fumes in the air outweighs burning as cause of death by a 3:1 ratio. These fumes accumulate quickly and spread rapidly through a burning home, sometimes spreading beyond the range of the fire itself.

    Effects

    • Poisonous gases produced in a house fire pose a variety of threats. If a family is asleep when the home catches fire, the noxious fumes produced can have a sedative-like effect. This effect can cause victims to fall into a deeper sleep and miss the opportunity for escape. When people are awake during a house fire, the gases can be inhaled and cause them to become confused and disoriented. Combined with a smoke-filled room with zero visibility, this becomes a hazardous situation and can impair the chance of escape. When a person does not get away from the poisonous gas in the air, he or she can eventually die of asphyxiation. This is the No. 1 cause of death during house fires.

    Prevention

    • The best way to avoid poisonous gases during a house fire is to plan ahead for emergencies. Smoke detectors can alert a family of danger before the noxious fumes and flames get out of hand. It is equally important to have an escape plan in place, so no family members are blindly making their way through a poisonous environment. Because smoke and fumes rise, family members should get as low to the ground as possible when making an escape. In the event that a person becomes trapped, he or she should keep a door shut against the smoke and fumes. If possible, a towel should be stuffed under the doorway to keep the smoke and poisonous gases out.

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