Q. How fast is fire?
A.In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house. In minutes, a house can be engulfed in flames.

Q. What color is fire?
A.Pitch black! Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness. If you wake up to a fire you may be blinded, disoriented and unable to find your way around the home you’ve lived in for years.

Q. How do people usually die in fires?
A. Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire uses up the oxygen you need and produces smoke and poisonous gases that kill. Breathing even small amounts of smoke and toxic gases can make you drowsy, disoriented and short of breath. The odorless, colorless fumes can lull you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your door. You may not wake up in time to escape.

Q. How hot is a room on fire?
A. A fire’s heat alone can kill. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super hot air will scorch your lungs. This heat can melt clothes to your skin.

Q. What is a “flashover?”
A. This is where a room can get so hot that everything in it ignites at once: this is called flashover. This can happen in less than 5 minutes.

Q. In a fire emergency, which should we do first, escape the fire or call for help?
A. Escape the fire first if at all possible. Then go to a safe place to call 911.

Q. How do you get out in a fire emergency if there is smoke everywhere?
A. Get down on your knees and crawl. Remember, heat and smoke rise. Cover your mouth and nose with your shirt or a cloth and crawl to safety. You should practice doing this with your eyes closed because chances are you won’t be able to see because of smoke in a real fire emergency.

Q. Is it okay to go back inside a burning house to rescue my pet?
A. NO! Never enter a burning building. Call 911 from a safe place and let them know where you pet is inside.