Stop, drop and roll is a fire safety technique taught to children to put out flames on the body or clothing. It involves stopping, dropping to the ground, covering the face, and rolling to smother the flames. It is most effective when used with other firefighting techniques and those who have used it should seek medical attention.
Stop, drop and roll is a fire safety technique most often taught to young children and is a method used to put out flames on the body or clothing. In addition to putting out the flames, the stop, drop and roll technique can help a person avoid panicking in this scary situation by focusing on the technique rather than the sometimes painful reality of the situation. This method is taught in conjunction with other fire safety techniques to school children as they learn about the dangers of fire.
The three main components of the method work to quickly smother the flames. The children are asked to stop to avoid fanning the flames, or essentially supplying the flames with oxygen and thus making them bigger or hotter. Stopping the motion can also make it easier for bystanders to put out the flames; if the person is in motion, bystanders may not be able to put out the fire completely and quickly. Moving around can also lead to the fire spreading to other people or objects, which can make the situation worse by putting others at risk.
The fall portion of the stop, drop, and roll technique requires the person to fall to the ground and cover their face to avoid injury and further burns. This action helps lead to the next step, the roll portion. Rolling on the ground helps further deprive the flame of oxygen. A blanket can be wrapped around the person at this time to further smother the flames, but it is important to remember that the synthetic fibers can fuse to the skin, thus causing more injury. The overall goal of this technique is to rob flames of oxygen, which they need to grow and thrive, as well as potential sources of fuel.
The stop, drop and roll technique is most effectively used in conjunction with other firefighting techniques. Dousing the person with water will help put out the flames quickly, as will the use of a fire extinguisher. Regardless of the severity of the burns and the duration of the event, a person who has needed the stop, fall and roll technique should see a doctor as soon as possible for an examination. Burns are highly susceptible to infection, which can cause health problems ranging from discomfort to death. A doctor can prescribe medications and dress wounds to prevent further injury.
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