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Fires are a major threat to people’s lives and property, and since fires occur more frequently in winter, it is essential to take fire prevention measures seriously. Not only are large fires deadly, but thick smoke should also not be underestimated. Numerous sources indicate that thick smoke is the \"number one killer\" in fires, with the number of people killed by smoke inhalation being 4 to 5 times higher than those who die from burns. http://p9.itc.cn/images01/20210109/1c44104fa8d845d7bdd6b1e6c1c5637f.png At around 8:50 a.m. on January 4th, a fire broke out on the 10th floor of a building at a certain address on Jiasong North Road in Jiading District, Shanghai; a 77-year-old man was found dead in his home. According to the footage from the scene, thick smoke was present at the time of the fire, but there was no visible flame. Upon noticing what was happening, the residents immediately called the fire department and the property management, and went downstairs to evacuate. The fire department and property management arrived at the scene quickly to deal with the situation and put out the fire. After breaking down the door, it was found that the elderly person was already in bed without any signs of life. It is evident that the hazards of thick smoke are extremely severe and must not be underestimated. The dangers of thick smoke: 1. The main cause of death caused by thick smoke is carbon monoxide poisoning. In air with a carbon monoxide concentration of 1.3%, a person will lose consciousness after inhaling two or three breaths of the fumes, and breathing it in for 13 minutes will lead to death. In the smoke generated by common building materials when burned, the carbon monoxide content can reach as high as 2.5%. 2. The thick smoke and gases in a fire can also cause inhalation injuries. Inhalation injury: refers to the damage to the respiratory tract and lung tissue caused by the inhalation of hot air, vapors, smoke, harmful gases, or certain chemical components in volatile substances, as well as systemic chemical poisoning resulting from the inhalation of toxic gases and substances. How to prevent the generation of thick smoke? 1. Ensure that there is no clutter piled up around the kitchen and electrical appliances. 2. For homes and security doors, it is necessary to choose doors with good fire and heat insulation properties; for building materials and furniture, materials that are fire-resistant and do not produce smoke when burned should be selected. 3. Install smoke detectors and sprinkler heads at home to control the fire in its early stages. 4. Regularly inspect the fire-fighting equipment in the corridors to ensure rapid extinguishment of fires in case they occur. http://p6.itc.cn/images01/20210109/4358289281b34b5cbea04108102b805e.png How to deal with thick smoke in a fire? 1. When a fire breaks out, smoke tends to accumulate in the upper areas; therefore, when escaping, one should move by crawling or bending low, keeping the body close to the ground. 2. During evacuation, use wet towels, masks, etc. to cover the mouth and nose in order to reduce temperature and filter contaminants. 3. When the fire is in a lower floor, evacuate as quickly as possible and head to an upwind area. Do not panic during evacuation; first assess the level of smoke in the stairwell before deciding whether to use the stairs to escape. 4. When the floor is too high or it is difficult to escape due to doors being blocked by a fire: one should take shelter in a room equipped with fire-resistant doors. At the same time, use wet towels, clothes, etc. to block the door gaps to prevent toxic gases from entering. Improper use of hazardous materials in daily life can lead to accidents, but thick smoke, as the \"number one killer\" in fires, is deadly; in a sense, it is indeed more terrifying than hazardous materials. Regarding hazardous substances in daily life, we will take strict precautions to prevent accidents. In the event of heavy smoke, we need to protect ourselves better by taking the appropriate measures to avoid inhaling toxic gases. In our daily lives, we must pay close attention to fire prevention in order to eliminate potential fire hazards at the source. The main content of this article is derived from the Emergency Management Information Network.