Kogi State Fire Agency

Shocking Stat

THE #1 CAUSE OF HOME FIRES IS IN YOUR KITCHEN.

• 49% of all home structure fires start with cooking.
• That’s nearly 1 in every 2 fires you will respond to or prevent.
• Leading causes: Unattended pots, grease splatter, and combustibles too close to burners.

Our message: Watch what you heat. Nothing else increases your risk this much.

One Weird Trick (That Works)

SLIDE A LID ON DISASTER.

Before you turn on the burner, place the correct pot lid right next to the stove.

• Why it works: If a grease fire starts, smothering it with a lid is faster and safer than water (which makes grease explode) or reaching for a extinguisher.
• The trick: Keep lids within arm’s reach every time you cook. Not in the drawer. Not in the cabinet. Next to the stove.
• Bonus: After sliding the lid on, turn off the heat and do not remove the lid until the pan is completely cool.

“Save This” Checklist

3 MINUTES. 3 ACTIONS. SAVE YOUR HOME.

Save this message. Paste it on your fridge. Do it today.

☐ Clean the dryer lint trap – After EVERY load. Lint is gasoline-soaked cotton waiting for a spark.
☐ Unplug countertop toasters & coffee makers – When not in use. These devices fail even when turned “off.”
☐ Test smoke alarms – Push the button. Replace any unit older than 10 years.
☐ Check cords – Frayed or chewed wires start fires behind furniture.
☐ Store matches & lighters – Locked away, out of children’s reach.

Share this checklist with five neighbors. One reminder can save a life.

‎Happy New Month from all of us @ Kogi State Fire 🔥 & Rescue 🛟 Agency!
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‎Welcome to June, a month of fresh energy, warmer days, and mid-year reflections. As you step into this new month, we remain committed to your safety and well-being.
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‎To help you enjoy a fire-disaster-free June, please keep these essential fire prevention and safety tips in mind:
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‎🔥 1. Cook with Care
‎Never leave cooking unattended. Keep flammable items (towels, curtains, paper) away from stovetops. If a grease fire starts, slide a lid over the pan and turn off the heat, never use water.
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‎⚡ 2. Check Electrical Loads
‎With rising temperatures, avoid overloading sockets or using damaged cords. Unplug appliances when not in use, and ensure your wiring is professionally inspected.
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‎🚭 3. Dispose of Smoking Materials Safely
‎If you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays. Ensure butts are fully extinguished before disposal, never toss them into trash or plant pots.
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‎🕯️ 4. Monitor Candles & Incense
‎Place candles on stable, heat-resistant surfaces away from curtains or pets. Extinguish them before leaving a room or going to sleep.
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‎🧯 5. Know Your Exits & Have a Plan
‎Ensure windows and doors can open easily. Practice a home fire drill, identify two ways out of every room and a safe meeting point outside.
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‎📞 6. Install & Test Alarms
‎Check smoke detectors monthly. Change batteries at least twice a year, the start of June is a perfect reminder!
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‎Together, let’s make June safe, bright, and incident-free. Stay alert, stay prepared, and know that we’re always here for you, before, during, and after an emergency.
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‎Welcome, June. Stay safe, everyone! 🚒🧯❤️
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‎FIRE 🔥 SAFETY 🛟 DIRECTIVE: POSITIONING & PLACEMENT OF PORTABLE FIRE 🔥 EXTINGUISHERS 🧯
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‎Issued by: Kogi State Fire & Rescue Agency
‎Subject: Strategic Placement for Maximum Life Safety & Property Protection
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‎Proper placement of fire extinguishers is not incidental, it is a critical engineering control that determines whether a small, incipient-stage fire is suppressed or becomes a major incident.
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‎I. Core Operational Principles (The “Why”)
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‎1. Accessibility Over Aesthetics: An extinguisher behind a planter or in a locked closet is a failure. Units must be visible, unobstructed, and reachable within seconds.
‎2. The 75-Foot Rule (Travel Distance): For Class A (ordinary combustibles) hazards, a fire extinguisher must be located so that no person travels more than 75 feet to reach one. For Class B (flammable liquids), this distance reduces to 30–50 feet depending on the specific hazard.
‎3. Height for Rapid Deployment: Wall-mounted extinguishers must have the carrying handle 3.5 to 5 feet above the finished floor. Heavier units (>40 lbs) may be mounted lower (approx. 3 feet) to allow for safe lifting.
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‎II. Strategic Positioning by Building Zone
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‎A. Exit Paths & Egress Corridors (Primary Placement)
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‎· Near exit doors, but not blocking them. Place extinguishers directly in the path of egress, ideally within 5–10 feet of a doorway leading to a stairwell or exterior.
‎· Why? This allows an occupant to fight a fire while keeping their back to an exit. If the fire grows, retreat is unimpeded.
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‎B. High-Hazard Areas (Kitchens, Mechanical Rooms, Labs)
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‎· At the room’s entry point, not deep inside the hazard zone. The user should not have to enter a room already filled with smoke or heat to retrieve the unit.
‎· For commercial cooking (Class K): Place within 30 feet of the cooking appliance, but not directly above it (heat and grease can compromise the unit).
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‎C. Corridors & Large Open Spaces (Atriums, Warehouses)
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‎· Place extinguishers on columns or pillars at maximum 75-foot intervals in all directions.
‎· In warehouses with rack storage, place at aisle ends and at intermediate points so no employee walks past more than two storage bays to access a unit.
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‎D. Outdoor & Covered Areas (Fuel pumps, loading docks)
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‎· Extinguishers must be protected from weather (enclosed cabinets rated for outdoor use).
‎· Place at a minimum 10 feet away from the potential fire source (e.g., fuel dispenser) to allow safe approach.
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‎III. Prohibited & Problematic Placements (Common Violations)
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‎· Behind furniture, curtains, or stacked inventory. (Most frequent code violation.)
‎· Inside locked cabinets without break-glass or keyed-alike fast-access systems.
‎· Above 5 feet for standard units (cannot safely reach or remove).
‎· Directly above stoves, ovens, or electrical panels (heat, vibration, and potential arc faults damage extinguishers).
‎· On the floor or buried under debris (creates trip hazard and delays response).
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‎IV. Visual Identification & Signage
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‎· Below the unit: Paint a 6-inch yellow or red floor marker to define the “extinguisher zone” (keeps area clear).
‎· Above the unit: Install a reflective sign (red with white lettering) reading “FIRE EXTINGUISHER” visible from 50 feet.
‎· In large or high-ambient-noise areas: Add a strobe or low-frequency sounder tied to building alarm—pulls attention to the extinguisher location.
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‎V. Specialized Placement for Class D (Combustible Metals) & Class K
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‎· Class D (metal shops, labs): Place within 25 feet of the metal-working area, but never near water sources or standard ABC extinguishers, personnel might grab the wrong type.
‎· Class K (commercial kitchens): One unit must be located within the cooking line of sight and another at the kitchen exit. Appliance suppression system activation should not block access to the portable unit.
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‎VI. Required Inspections to Maintain Placement Integrity
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‎Even perfect positioning fails without enforcement. Your facility must:
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‎· Monthly (visual): Ensure no obstruction, correct mounting height, and intact signage.
‎· Annually (professional): Verify pressure, tamper seal, and that placement still meets current hazard assessment (e.g., after a renovation or re-stacking of inventory).
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‎Final Operational Order
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‎No extinguisher should be placed where a person must move toward a growing fire to retrieve it. All extinguishers shall be positioned along recognized escape routes, at hazard entry points, and in plain view, without exception.
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‎Post this directive in all building common areas and issue it to your floor wardens. For site-specific placement maps, request a free Fire Safety Walkthrough from our Prevention Division.
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‎Kogi State Fire & Rescue Agency– Protecting Lives Through Proactive Planning.
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‎Good morning. ☀️
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‎While many enjoy a quiet Sunday, our crews remain standing by, ready to answer the call at a moment’s notice. To those on shift today: thank you for your sacrifice and vigilance. To the community: rest easy, stay safe, and know that we are always here for you.
‎Have a peaceful Sunday, and let’s keep safety first, every day, no exceptions. 🚒🧑‍🚒

‎🌙 Good night from your firefighting & rescue team.
‎As you rest, know that we remain awake, ready to answer the call, protect your home, and keep our community safe through the night.
‎Stay smart, stay safe. Double-check those candles, unplug the heaters, and rest easy.
‎🛡️ We’ve got the watch.
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‎📞 Emergency? Always call any of these numbers: 09014385257, 08038170498
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‎🚨 THE 10-SECOND SATURDAY HABIT THAT'S INVITING FIRE 🔥 INTO YOUR HOME 🏠
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‎The split-screen image. Left side: A cordless vacuum plugged into a charger on a kitchen counter. Right side: The same charger melted onto burnt tile.
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‎Saturday mornings mean pancakes, playlists, and... charging. But here’s the hot topic most people overlook: your "fully charged" lithium-ion batteries.
‎That vacuum, drill, or e-scooter you left plugged in all day while you run errands? Once it hits 100%, the charger keeps feeding energy. Over time, that creates microscopic damage inside the battery; what fire investigators call "thermal runaway waiting to happen."
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‎Last month, a family two towns over lost their garage because a leaf blower battery caught fire at 2 PM on a Saturday. No one was home. The charger wasn't "cheap." It was the original.
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‎3 SATURDAY SAFETY 🦺 CHECKS THAT TAKE LESS TIME THAN BREWING YOUR COFFEE ☕:
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‎1. Unplug at full. Charge devices while you're awake and nearby. The moment it hits 100%? Unplug.
‎2. Floor > countertop. Never charge batteries on flammable surfaces (cloth, paper, wood). Use tile, concrete, or a dedicated charging tray.
‎3. The "puffy" test. If your battery looks swollen, feels warm to the touch when idle, or smells odd, don't "wait until Monday." Recycle it properly today.
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‎Your weekend challenge: Walk through your home right now. Count how many devices are charging unattended. We'll wait. 👀
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‎Drop a 🔋 in the comments if you're about to go unplug something. And tag a friend who just bought a new gadget.
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‎Because a relaxing Saturday shouldn't include a surprise visit from us. 🔥🚫
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‎THE BACK OF THE HAND ✋ FIRE 🔥 SAFETY 🦺 PROTOCOL
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‎“Hot door = trap. Before you open it, touch it with the back of your hand. If it’s hot, don’t open. Find another exit.
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‎“This takes 2 seconds. It can save your life. Hot door means fire or toxic smoke on the other side. Don’t open it. Go to your second exit.”
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‎“Why the back of your hand? If the door burns your palm, you can’t grip to pull away. Back of hand = faster reflex, less damage. Try this tonight with your kids. Comment TOUCH if you will.”
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‎“Save this. Practice it. Share it. Smoke kills faster than flames. You have ∼60 seconds.”

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‎THE SILENT KILLER: UNDERSTANDING WHY SMOKE KILLS FASTER THAN FIRE 🔥
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‎I. The Invisible Enemy:

‎"Fire is a visible, terrifying beast. We train to fight its glow, feel its heat, and anticipate its path. But I am here to tell you that the beast you see is not your deadliest enemy. The true killer is the one you can barely see; the dark, rolling, superheated cloud that fills a room before a single flame arrives.
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‎Statistic: Over 60% of fire-related fatalities are caused by smoke inhalation, not burns. In many structure fires, victims are dead from smoke long before the fire reaches them.
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‎Today, we will tear down the myth that heat and flames are the primary threat. We will prove that smoke kills faster, more efficiently, and more silently than fire itself.
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‎II. The 'Toxic Cocktail': What Smoke Actually Is
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‎Smoke is not a simple gas. It is a potion of death; a moving, chemical laboratory of destruction. It contains three lethal categories:
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‎1. Particles (Soot & Ash): Microscopic solids that coat the lungs and eyes.
‎2. Vapors & Gases (The Chemical Attack): Carbon monoxide (CO), Hydrogen cyanide (HCN), Hydrogen chloride, Phosgene, Acrolein.
‎3. Superheated Air (The Thermal Bomb): Air that is not on fire but is hot enough to sear lung tissue instantly.
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‎Key Point: Modern synthetic materials (plastics, foams, treated wood) burn faster and produce smoke that is ten times more toxic than natural materials like wood or cotton.
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‎III. The Four Ways Smoke Kills (Before Fire Ever Does)
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‎Let’s break down the physiological timeline. Smoke kills in four distinct mechanisms:
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‎1. Oxygen Depletion (The Suffocation Trap)
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‎· The Science: Normal air is 21% oxygen. In a fire, combustion consumes O2. At 10-14% O2, judgment and consciousness fail. At 6% O2, death occurs in 6-8 minutes.
‎· The Deception: Victims often don’t gasp for air. They simply become confused, weak, and fall asleep forever.
‎· Fire Comparison: Fire needs O2 to exist. When O2 drops, the fire may smolder, but the smoke continues to kill.
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‎2. Carbon Monoxide (The Colorless Assassin)
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‎· The Mechanism: CO binds to hemoglobin in your blood 200 times more readily than oxygen. It creates carboxyhemoglobin (COHb).
‎· Lethal Timeline: At 1% CO concentration (common in early fire stages), unconsciousness occurs in 2-3 breaths. Death follows in minutes.
‎· The Cruel Trick: CO doesn't cause pain. It causes cherry-red skin (often unseen under gear) and euphoric confusion. Victims remove their masks because they "can't breathe," exposing themselves to more CO.
‎· Fire Comparison: You can see a flame and move away. CO is invisible, odorless, and follows you.
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‎3. Hydrogen Cyanide (The Neurological Lightning Strike)
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‎· The Source: Burning wool, silk, polyurethane (mattresses, furniture, insulation), plastics.
‎· The Effect: HCN stops cellular respiration. Your cells choke even if you have oxygen in your blood.
‎· Symptoms: Seizures, respiratory arrest within 1-3 minutes. HCN kills faster than CO by a factor of 10.
‎· Fire Comparison: A flashover gives you seconds to escape. HCN gives you less time, and it acts while you are still standing.
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‎4. Thermal Injury to Airways (The Internal Burn)
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‎· The Mechanism: Inhaling smoke above 150°F (65°C) causes immediate edema (fluid swelling) in the trachea and bronchi.
‎· The Delay: You might escape the fire, but 4-6 hours later, your airway swells shut. It’s called "dry drowning."
‎· Fire Comparison: Fire burns your outside. Smoke burns your inside, where you have no protective gear, and the damage is irreversible.
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‎IV. The 'Smoke Kill Curve': Why It Outruns Fire
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‎Imagine a timeline from ignition to death:
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‎· 0-30 Seconds: Ignition. Smoke plume rises.
‎· 1 Minute: Smoke layer reaches 3 feet from floor. CO levels reach 0.5% – lethal in 10 minutes.
‎· 2 Minutes: HCN levels spike. Visibility zero. O2 drops to 15%. Unconsciousness possible.
‎· 3 Minutes: Flashover potential. But by 2 minutes and 30 seconds, everyone inhaling that smoke without SCBA is already dead or incapacitated.
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‎Conclusion: The fire hasn’t even flashed over yet, and smoke has already won.
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‎V. Smoke Behavior: Reading the Killer
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‎You cannot fight what you do not understand. Learn to read smoke:
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‎· Fast-moving, turbulent smoke: High heat, rapid energy release. Fire is about to erupt.
‎· Thick, black, oily smoke: Synthetic fuels. High CO and HCN. This is max toxicity.
‎· Yellow/greenish smoke: Unburned hydrocarbons (backdraft potential). Deadly before the explosion.
‎· Smoke pushing from cracks: Extreme pressure. Breathing that smoke for one inhalation will cause pulmonary edema.
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‎VI. Tactical Implications for Firefighters
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‎We don't just lecture on dangers; we act on them.
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‎1. SCBA is Non-Negotiable.
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‎· Do not do a “size-up breath” without a mask. One lungful of HCN-laden smoke can cause permanent neurological damage or sudden collapse.
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‎2. Decon is Life-Saving.
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‎· Smoke particulates cling to turnout gear. After a fire, gross decon before removing masks. Cross-contamination has killed firefighters hours later via absorption.
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‎3. Medical Monitoring.
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‎· Any firefighter exposed to smoke (even with SCBA) must be monitored for 24 hours for delayed respiratory failure.
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‎4. Ventilation is a Medical Intervention.
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‎· Vertical and horizontal ventilation isn't just for fire attack—it is to evacuate the toxic cocktail to give victims those extra 30 seconds to escape.
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‎· Scenario: Single couch on fire in a living room. Fire was contained to one room. Victims found in a bedroom 20 feet away.
‎· Findings: No burns on victims. Autopsy: 75% COHb saturation and lethal levels of HCN. Couch foam (polyurethane) created a cyanide cloud.
‎· Lesson: The fire never touched them. The smoke crossed the hallway, went under the door, and killed them in 4 minutes. The fire department arrived in 5 minutes.
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‎VII. Conclusion: Respect the Smoke
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‎"Firefighters are trained to crawl low, stay below the smoke, and use a can. But today, I want you to shift your mindset.
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‎Do not ask, 'Where is the fire?' Ask, 'Where is the smoke, and what is it carrying?'
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‎The fire gives you heat. The smoke gives you a slow, confused, suffocating death. You can survive a burn. You cannot survive a lungful of cyanide, CO, and 300-degree air.
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‎Your gear protects against heat. Your SCBA and situational awareness protect against the smoke. Never take that mask off. Never trust 'just a little smoke.' Because the minute you do, you are inviting the killer that never sleeps, never misses, and always strikes first.
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‎Stay low. Stay on air. Stay alive.

Instructor: HFS Emmanuel Jegede