Fires Summary Whether a fire happens in your home or in the wild, it can be very dangerous. Fire spreads quickly. There is no time to gather valuables or make a phone call. In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a home can be engulfed in flames. Heat and smoke from fire can be more dangerous than the flames. Inhaling the super-hot air can burn your lungs. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Instead of being awakened by a fire, you may fall into a deeper sleep. You can suffocate or be burned. Preventing fires is an important part of fire safety. Although there are no guarantees of safety during a fire, you can take actions to protect yourself. You should have a disaster plan. Being prepared can help reduce fear, anxiety, and losses. If you do experience a disaster, it is normal to feel stressed. You may need help in finding ways to cope. Federal Emergency Management Agency Resources Active Fire Mapping Program Department of Agriculture After the Fire! Returning to Normal Federal Emergency Management Agency Children and Home Fires American Red Cross Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Emergency Management Agency Fires and Food Safety Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service Home Fires Department of Homeland Security United States Fire Administration United States Fire Administration What to Do in a Fire Nemours Foundation Wild Fire Safety Checklist American Red Cross Wildfires Healthy Roads Media Wildfires Department of Homeland Security Wildfires: Information for Pregnant Women and Parents of Young Infants Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Journal Articles Fires
