A recent article in the trade publication EMS World discussed how the newer materials being used in home construction are actually making the homes more dangerous in the event of a house fire. And it is not the flames that make fires in new and recently built homes so dangerous,…
Articles Posted in Smoke Inhalation Injury
Mayor of Newark, NJ Saves Neighbor From Severe Burns and Smoke Inhalation in House Fire
On April 12, Newark Mayor Cory Booker saved a neighbor from a blazing house fire — a dramatic rescue that he admitted was absolutely terrifying. The dramatic rescue began at around 9:30 p.m. that night, when Booker and two officers from the Mayor’s security team spotted a fire at a…
Smoke Inhalation, Not Severe Burns, Is Most Deadly Aspect of House Fires
Since the start of April, there have been more than a dozen deaths around the United States from smoke inhalation during fires in houses and other buildings. This is a clear indication that smoke from fire is even more dangerous to people than the flames themselves. Why? Because it only…
Two Car Models Investigated for Possibility of Fire That Can Cause Severe Burns to Driver and Passengers
On April 1, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced an investigation into the cause of fires in the Chevrolet Cruze, General Motors’ best-selling passenger car. According to complaints made to NHTSA, there have been at least two incidents in which the small sedan has caught fire while in motion.…
Recall of Mini Coopers for Fire Hazard Reminds Us That Cars Can Cause Severe Burns and Smoke Inhalation Injury
In mid-January, BMW began a recall of 89,000 Mini Coopers in the United States for the same sort of problem that led to earlier recalls of BMW and Rolls-Royce luxury cars. The problem, in all the recalls, is that a computer circuit board controlling a turbocharger cooling system can fail.…
How Dangerous Are House Fires? Even Well-Protected Firefighters Frequently Suffer Smoke Inhalation and Severe Burn Injury
In late February, two Prince George’s County, MD firefighters were critically injured when a wind-fueled fireball blew through a burning house. They will survive, but the two members of the Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department will face long, painful recoveries. Ethan Sorrell, 21, sustained respiratory burns “through his esophagus and down…
High-Rise Hotel Blaze in Bangkok Offers Lessons on Avoiding Deadly Smoke Inhalation and Severe Burns
Last week, a small fire at a high-rise hotel in the main tourist district of Bangkok, Thailand caused the upper floors to become filled with smoke, killing at least one foreign tourist and injuring 23 others. When firefighters arrived at the 15-story Grand Park Avenue Bangkok hotel last Thursday evening,…
Even One Candle Can Cause Home Fires and Severe Burns
Several weeks back, a few unattended candles sparked a fire that caused about $130,000 in damage and caused more than 40 people to be evacuated from an apartment building in Seattle, Washington. The fire started at just before 4 a.m., according to the Seattle Fire Department. Firefighters responding to the…
Fire Control Panels Recalled Due to Alarm Failure, Posing a Fire and Burn Hazard
In mid-February, the following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by Bosch Security Systems of Fairport, NY, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Consumers should stop using this product immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. The name of…
Do Not Fight a Home Fire–It’s Too Dangerous. Evacuate Quickly to Avoid Severe Burns
Here is a story that shows clearly why, if a fire breaks out in your home, you should get out immediately and call 911 to report the fire, rather than stay inside and try to extinguish the fire yourself. In short: Unforeseen dangers can arise, and they can kill you.…