Smoke Inhalation - Prevention

Avoiding smoke inhalation may be difficult because, of course, people usually do not choose to be present in a burning building. The best way to avoid smoke inhalation, then, is to prevent the structural fires that create the problem. Structural fires are best prevented by the use of safe electrical wiring, proper storage of flammable materials, maintenance of clean, well-ventilated chimneys and wood stoves, and other basic fire safety practices.

The damage caused by structural fires can often be reduced dramatically by the installation of smoke detectors and sprinkler systems. Studies have shown that more than 98 percent of all potentially disastrous fires can be prevented by properly installed sprinkler systems.

Finally, fire fighters should be provided with and trained in the use of proper protective gear to avoid the problems of smoke inhalation.