According to experts, how you maintain your composure and respond during incidents like fires can be the decisive factor between life and death.
Surviving Toxic Smoke
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), during a wildfire or house fire, smoke is the “number one enemy”, frequently being the cause that puts victims in dangerous situations, even leading to fatalities.
Smoke is essentially a complex mixture of gases and fine particles created by burning wood and other organic materials. In house fires, mixed materials such as plastics and nylon can cause smoke to carry many harmful impurities.
Smoke is the “number one enemy” in fires, often putting victims in perilous situations. (Photo: iStock).
According to Dr. Vu Viet Ha from the Emergency & Intensive Care Department at Hanoi University of Medicine, victims in fires often face dangers from smoke inhalation, which can lead to death due to lack of oxygen or carbon monoxide poisoning.
In the event of a fire, the immediate action to take is to cover your face and nose with a wet cloth to help filter out some smoke and toxic gases. However, this does not prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. If you are in a sealed room during a fire, even with a wet cloth, you could still suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Therefore, it is crucial to evacuate the building filled with smoke as soon as possible to avoid inhaling toxic smoke. If evacuation is not possible, you should try to stay low to the ground while covering your nose and mouth with a wet cloth.
In any case, it is essential to limit breathing air contaminated by smoke. Avoid taking deep breaths; instead, take multiple small breaths to reduce the amount of toxic gas entering your lungs. At the same time, you should seek fresh air as soon as possible.
Quick First Aid for Burns
First aid for burns to minimize damage and promote healing. (Photo: Getty).
Fires are always accompanied by high temperatures, which can cause severe burns, skin burns, and airway burns. Additionally, high heat can cause swelling of the airways, potentially leading to death.
Immediate first aid for burns is crucial to minimize damage and promote the healing process. However, the first step is to remove yourself and the injured person from the source of the burn.
Next, place the burned area under cool (not cold) running water for about 10-20 minutes or until the pain subsides. Avoid using ice or very cold water, as it can cause further complications.
Once the burn has cooled, cover it with a sterile non-stick bandage or clean cloth to protect it from dirt and minimize the risk of infection. Avoid using adhesive tape directly on the burn.
How to Safely Evacuate from a Tall Building
A construction fire in Massueville, Canada. (Photo: Wikipedia).
Many fires occur in apartment buildings and high-rises, making evacuation or rescue efforts challenging.
If you find yourself in this situation, stay calm and find an appropriate way to respond. Take a moment to assess the fire and determine whether you can safely escape.
If you are in immediate danger or the fire is spreading rapidly, do not attempt to put out the fire yourself. Instead, focus on evacuating. Do not waste time gathering personal belongings, as your safety is the top priority.
Immediately identify the nearest exit points from your current location. Familiarize yourself with the building’s evacuation plan if available. Generally, you should use the stairs instead of the elevator during a fire evacuation, as elevators may malfunction in a fire.
Head to the nearest safe exit and follow the designated emergency routes if available. If the main escape route is blocked or unsafe, look for alternative emergency exits such as windows or emergency escape routes.
Firefighters guide evacuation during a fire in an apartment building.
If you are on a higher floor, consider signaling for help by waving a piece of cloth or using a flashlight to attract attention.
Remember, it is essential to prioritize your safety and the safety of others during a fire evacuation. Never jump from a high floor, as this can result in severe injuries and even death.
If the escape route is blocked, the safest way to evacuate from a tall building is to use a fire escape ladder. This is a specialized firefighting device designed for escape from tall buildings or apartment complexes.
At first glance, the product may not look much different from regular rope ladders. However, fire escape ladders have many improved designs, such as high heat resistance, good fire resistance, and the ability to support heavy weights… allowing users to escape quickly and safely during a fire without causing burns or injuries.
Descending the ladder is not as difficult as using a rope but requires speed and caution. The ladder can be used for sequential evacuation for the entire family, thanks to its two ends acting as pulleys, with U-shaped steps resting against the wall, providing a secure footing.
