Whether a fire is spreading from a natural disaster and has taken over your home or you experienced a fire due to a malfunction within the building, it can make for many different dangers to the people and animals in the building. Becker ENT warns residents that they should do everything they can to protect their family and to reduce the possibility of smoke inhalation injury during fire.
The fact is that smoke inhalation is the leading cause of death in relation to fires. Many times, the victim is trapped in a room and unable to breathe enough fresh air to remain conscious. If a person passes out from smoke inhalation, it is up to rescue workers to find and treat that individual before they suffer any further.
You should have smoke detectors throughout your home and make sure that the batteries are rotated on a regular basis. Check the machines seasonally to ensure that they are still operating properly. While it may seem like a great idea to get one that is wired into your home so you don’t have to worry about batteries, if the electricity is out, the detector is worthless.
It is also vital that you have a fire escape route from every room in the home. The members of your household should all know how to get out safely should a fire occur. Families with small children should have a plan for how they will be rescued so that everyone is not attempting to do the same thing.
You can also be injured by excessive smoke in the air. This is one of the reasons that areas are sometimes evacuated even before a fire gets near them. When large wildfires are burning, all sorts of toxins are released into the air. If there is not enough air movement to keep them from resting near homes, first responders may recommend evacuation for the safety of everyone.
If you have inhaled smoke or someone else in your family has, it is important that you get the appropriate medical treatment. Although you may think you will be okay after a few days of rest, you will not know the extent of the damage until you have undergone the appropriate tests. You will want to have restorative measures taken to heal the damage that has been caused to your lungs and other organs as quickly as you possibly can do.