Press Release: Smoke Is a Killer—Stay Low and Go

Most People have a natural fear of fires and burns, but feel relatively safe in smoke. The Wilton Fire Department warns that smoke is the real killer in a fire. About eight of every ten fire deaths are due to breathing poisonous smoke and gases. Many victims never even see the flames.

Since smoke rises from the heat of a fire, it will go to the ceiling first and then bank down. It will wind up stairways and down hallways. To prevent smoke inhalation, get low and go. Crawl to the nearest exit as quickly as possible. Once out, stay out.

Although you can’t see it, smoke is filled with toxic gases. Carbon monoxide (C0), in particular, is highly toxic. It is a tasteless, odorless gas that causes confusion, reduced mental capacity and eventually death. It is important to stay low and avoid breathing this poison.

It is also important to install and maintain smoke detectors to provide an early warning of fire and smoke. Exposure to smoke for even a few seconds or minutes can be fatal. Smoke detectors give you the extra edge you need to escape safely. Every family should have a fire escape plan which includes to use of smoke detectors and a knowledge of stay low and go. Even young children can be taught to respond properly.

No matter where a fire is—in a home, a shopping center, a hotel, an office, a church, or wherever—the response is the same: Get down on your hands and knees below the smoke and crawl to safety.