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If someone needs immediate help with smoke-filled building, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You must move through a building filled with thick smoke to reach safety.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Stay low. Crawl to the exit. Feel doors before opening. Call 101 outside.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Thick grey or black smoke reducing visibility.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stinging eyes, coughing, or difficulty breathing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ceiling area completely obscured while floor level is clearer.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Smoke contains toxic gases that can cause unconsciousness in seconds when inhaled.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Visibility may drop to zero — you must navigate by touch and known layout.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Drop to your hands and knees immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cover mouth and nose with cloth — dampen it if you can quickly.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Identify the nearest exit or follow a wall toward the stairwell.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Crawl low under the smoke layer toward the exit.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Focus on low, fast movement to an exit. Do not stand up to look around.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 101 or 112 after escaping to fresh air.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Report your last known location inside and whether others may still be trapped.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If you cannot escape, call from a room with a closed door and signal from a window.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT stand up or walk upright — the most toxic air is at head height.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT use elevators in a smoke-filled building.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT open a hot door — fire may be directly on the other side.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You can hold your breath long enough to run through smoke
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Toxic smoke causes disorientation and collapse within seconds. Stay low and crawl.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Mixed chemicals
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Bleach and acid, bleach and ammonia, or other cleaners were mixed and fumes are rising.
CO alarm
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Your carbon monoxide detector is beeping or alarming.
CO poisoning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — People show signs of carbon monoxide poisoning from heater, generator, or enclosed fire.
Child electrical shock
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child has touched an electrical socket, bitten a cord, or pulled a live plug.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Before opening any door, feel it with the back of your hand — if hot, choose another route.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Close doors behind you to slow smoke spread.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Once outside in fresh air, move well away from the building and call 101.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Smoke inhalation requires medical care — symptoms may worsen after you feel better.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Anyone who collapsed in smoke needs immediate ambulance (112).
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Unconsciousness before reaching an exit.