Fire Fact File

Stay safe and warm this winter with our some basic tips from the experts

We get it. It’s cold. And a lot of you are probably wishing you could cosy up next to a fireplace and just relax. But we’re a fire safety business - so get yourself a warm beverage, keep a safe distance from any open flame and we’ll try to warm you up with some fire facts that could save your life.

Tip #1

Fire is a chemical reaction that occurs with three combined elements: Heat, Fuel, and Oxygen, remove any one of these elements and the fire will go out. Applying Water (H2O), for example, removes Heat and breaks the chain reaction. Smothering a flame removes Oxygen (O2) and breaks the chain reaction. Removing anything that can burn removed Fuel and breaks the chain reaction. Fire cannot be sustained without all three elements. Simple!

Tip # 2

It’s often not fire that kills. Fire produces deadly and toxic smoke, which when inhaled will leave any person unconscious in a matter of seconds. This is why it is so critical to get all occupants out of a space where there is smoke or suspicious gas as fast as possible. If you have to move through a smoke-filled environment, make sure you get down low with your face close to the floor. This is where you will have the best chance of breathing the cleanest air. In Australia, most State and Territory Fire and Rescue Services use the catchy phrase ‘Get Down Low and Go-Go-Go!’. Our Kiwi friends have the equally impactful ‘Get Down, Get Low, Get Out!’

Tip # 3

Do not attempt to extinguish a fire if you do not know what sort of fire it is. If you do, you could make things much worse. There are six classes of fire, and each class uses different extinguishing agents. Think water will always get you out of a pickle? Think again! Read up on extinguisher use here.

Tip # 4

If you discover a fire remember to RACE!

R - Rescue any people in immediate danger (if it is safe to do so)
A - Alert people / Raise the Alarm – this could be by calling 000, immediately notifying a fire warden, pressing the emergency alarm, or a combination of all of these options
C - Contain the fire by closing doors and windows to slow the spread of smoke and fire (if safe to do so)
E - Extinguish the fire if you are trained and safe to do so, or evacuate the facility immediately and go to your assembly area

You can learn more about where your emergency assembly area should be located here.

Want more tips from our resident firefighters for fire safety this winter?

Here are a few of our favourites:

• Keep it a metre from the heater (Dave, Auckland City)

• Don’t drink and fry (Andrew, Botany NSW)

• Smoke alarms save lives (Sharon, Bundeena NSW)

• Keep looking while you’re cooking (Jez, Noosa QLD)