Being Safe
This semester I am taking a class called ‘Chem Safety’. The class covers many topics from safety in the chemical lab all the way to safety in the home. This week’s lecture focused on being aware of your surroundings and being prepared for an emergency, such as a fire. I thought I would share some information about household fires.
The major cause of deaths in household fires are not from the actual fire — they come from the smoke. In a fire, the smoke is very hot and as soon as it reaches above 100 degrees Celsius you have one breath left. This is because when the smoke enters your lungs it makes the water inside your lungs boil.
Surprisingly, there is something you can do to help yourself in a fire. Stay as low as you can, and if you have a wet cloth you can put over your mouth — you are better off. One hint we learned in class was to sleep with your door closed. In the event of a fire, a closed door prevents the smoke from entering your room — giving you more time to react and get out of the house.
Having a plan is the key. Be prepared for an emergency, know where you have to go and what you have to do.
Justin
Tags: Emergency, Fire, safety
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