Community Safety

Active home fire from a street view
  • Fire produces thick, black smoke that can make it difficult to see even brightly lit objects. If you wake up to a fire, it may be hard to see through the smoke.

Dangers of Smoke

Smoke from fires poses significant health risks, primarily due to toxic gases and particles that can lead to serious respiratory issues and even death.

Immediate effects: Inhaling smoke can cause respiratory distress, disorientation, and impaired judgement. Symptoms include coughing, difficulty breathing, and a feeling of suffocation. The hot gases can also burn the respiratory tract, leading to severe injuries.

Long term consequences: Survivors of smoke inhalation may experience chronic health issues such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other lung diseases. Studies show approximately 73% of fire survivors suffer long term effects due to smoke exposure.

Fatalities: Most fire related deaths are not caused by burns but by smoke inhalation. In many cases, individuals are overcome by smoke before they escape, particularly in residential fires where smoke can fill rooms rapidly.

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  • Fire produces thick, black smoke that can make it difficult to see even brightly lit objects. If you wake up to a fire, it may be hard to see through the smoke.