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Each
year, more than
4,000 Americans
die and more than
25,000 are injured
in fires, many
of which could
be prevented. Direct
property loss due
to fires is estimated
at $8.6 billion
annually.
To
protect yourself,
it is important
to understand
the basic
characteristics
of fire.
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 residence
can be engulfed
in flames.
Heat and
smoke from
fire can
be more dangerous
than the
flames. Inhaling
the super-hot
air can sear
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. Asphyxiation
is the leading
cause of
fire deaths,
exceeding
burns by
three-to-one
ratio.
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This
information has
been developed
using the following
resources: Centers
for Disease Control
and Preparedness,
American Red Cross,
Federal Emergency
Management Agency
and New York City
Office of Emergency
Management.
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