Smoke inhalation: This is what to do in an emergency

What is smoke inhalation?

Smoke inhalation occurs when your child has inhaled toxic smoke from a fire for a long time. Oxygen is displaced by the smoke and the result is respiratory poisoning. Your child is then in mortal danger and must be taken to the hospital immediately.

A fire produces a lot of smoke. This consists of soot particles and gases that can severely damage your child’s lungs. But not only the air, but also the heat generated by fire can lead to internal burns of the mucous membranes. Therefore, medical advice is essential.

Immediate measures for smoke inhalation

• Particular caution is required here! If there is a large-scale apartment or house fire, you must leave the rescue to the fire brigade so that you do not endanger your life.
• In any case, the emergency doctor and the fire brigade must be notified.
• If your child is outside the smoke source, you must control their breathing. Hold your cheek as close to his mouth as possible. If you don’t feel a draft, open the airway by lifting his chin with two fingers and moving his head towards his neck.
• Begin CPR and continue until emergency services arrive.
• If your child is still conscious and breathing, place them in a stable side or prone position , depending on their age .

Smoke alarms can save lives!

95% of all fire victims do not die from the fire itself, but from the poisonous smoke. To prevent fires from breaking out in the first place, you should definitely equip your apartment with smoke detectors. They only cost a few euros, are quickly installed and reliably warn your family in an emergency, even when there is little smoke.