Many people become the victim of fire, people immediately think of flames but most of its victims fall by inhaling smoke with toxic gases and fumes.

There are three things that should not be missing in a household they are

1. A fire blanket
2. A good fire extinguisher
3. A smoke detector.

If you know what’s needed for something to burn then you will also know how to extinguish it. Imagine it to be a triangle

If you’re able to take away one of its legs, always taking into account your own safety, the fire will extinguish.

OXYGEN

Place a glass over a burning candle, almost immediately you will see the fire extinguish. This is because it’s deprived of oxygen.

Fuel

It’s not always possible to remove flammable material, such as burning oil and grease can be difficult to take away, but it may be possible to take away burning curtains, paper, or wood.

Heat

Every substance has a temperature at which it will start burning, gasoline will ignite faster than oil, paper ignites faster than a thick wood, but if the substance has reached its ignition temperature then the substance will burn there is no match or lighter needed.

We can get the temperature down by cooling it with water, except with grease, oil and electric fires. If it's possible to cool it, e.g. a burning mattress, the fire is extinguished.

A frying pan that catches fire on your gas stove or ceramic plate can be extinguished by, for example, carefully putting a lid on it. If the lid is on it, do not lift it again to check if it’s extinguished as this will add oxygen and it may ignite again. Instead turn off the burner or the ceramic plate and do not forget to turn off the extractor hood.

No, you don't place the frying pan on the balcony or in the garden, you must never move a frying pan that just ignited. Let it sit and cool down for at least 30 minutes.

The fire Blanket

The Fire Blanket should not be missing in your home. If you already have an ugly red fire blanket that lies somewhere in a cupboard or drawer so not immediately usable, you can also replace it with a design blanket that does fit into your interior / kitchen.

A Fire blanket can be used to cover fire and stop oxygen supply to the fire. Please note that not every fire blanket is suitable for extinguishing a deep fryer. The fire blanket can also be placed around someone to help them get past fire and heat.

The blanket can also be used to extinguish someone who is on fire, put the blanket around the person, do not throw it and help them to lay down on the ground. As long as someone is upright and on fire, their face is in danger of flames and there is a chance that they will inhale toxic and too hot smoke. As soon as the person lies down with the blanket, hold the blanket by their throat with 1 hand and with the other hand wipe over the blanket to move away the oxygen / fire in the direction of their feet.

You've probably heard it before, but burnt pieces of clothing should never be pulled away, tear or cut, leave it stuck to the skin.

After you have called 112 you immediately start cooling with water, that water should be clean if possible otherwise the victim may get an infection. Cool for at least 10 minutes. If the fire blanket lies over a victim, leave it the blanket is water permeable.

What is a good fire extinguisher?

I'm not going to bore you with the various fire classes but I’m recommending you !

Powder extinguisher

Do not take a powder extinguisher, the contents is salt and there is potential collateral damage especially to electrical equipment. When used, your view is obscured by the cloud of powder. The cleanup will take some time. Can't do it any other way, suitable for solids, liquids, and gases.

Spray foam

Less harmful and biodegradable. suitable for extinguishing solids, liquids and equipment/electricity

CO2 or carbon dioxide snow extinguisher

Well suited to extinguish burning liquids and voltage-controlled devices. Always hold the tube by the handle, the extinguishing agent comes out at -80 degrees.

The smoke detector IT WIlL SAVE LIVES!

Should not be missing in any home. Nowadays we have many battery powered devices in our homes that we charge electric bikes, phones, tablets, etc.

Preferably we run our washing machines and dishwashers at night when we are sleeping.

Did you know that while you are asleep you can’t smell, your sense of smell is turned off so when a fire breaks out whether or not due to a short circuit you cannot notice it by smell.

Even worse, you will slowly inhale toxic gases that will take you from a deep sleep to unconsciousness.

Why do you not have smoke detectors in your home ? A money issue ! The alarm of a smoke detector is standard 85 decibels, I can assure you that it will wake you and more importantly you know that there is a fire somewhere and can still intervene in time or leave your house.

Dick Kuizenga