Live Smart: Health and Safety Activities for Youth Clubs

Bulletin 907

Fighting Fires

YOU WILL TEACH CLUB MEMBERS

To understand the three sides of the fire triangle.

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

Markers, posterboard, and copies of the fire safety triangle for each member

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Ask club members: Have you ever wondered how many fires occur every year? Can anyone guess how many fires occurred in the United States in 1997?
Answer: According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 1997, there were 1,795,000 fires. These fires resulted in 4,050 deaths and 23,750 injuries.

Ask club members: How did all of these fires start?
Answer: Fires can be started in many ways. Possible examples are cooking, careless smoking, heating problems, arson, children playing, etc.

Ask club members: How are fires extinguished (put out)?
Answer: Fires can be extinguished in many ways. The method used to extinguish a fire depends upon the type of fire. Fires can be put out by spraying water, using a fire extinguisher, applying chemicals, smothering the blaze, beating the fire, etc.

WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW?

Hold up the "Fire Triangle" handout. (You may want to redraw this on posterboard so that it is easier to see, or you can make copies for everyone.)

Tell club members: Although fires can start in many ways, three things must be present in all situations. The three things are fuel, air (oxygen), and heat. Fill in the blanks of the triangle (see the master copy).

Ask club members: Can you list examples of heat or energy sources? (Write these responses on the chart. You may have to give some hints.)
Answer: There are many answers. A few examples are electrical cords, matches, candles, oven, stove, fireplace, lightning bolts, etc.

Ask club members: Can you list examples of places oxygen can be found?
Answer: This is a trick question, because oxygen is found EVERYWHERE in our living atmosphere.

Ask club members: Can you list possible sources of fuels.
Answer: This is a very lengthy list since almost anything can burn. A few examples include clothes, wood, carpet, books, gasoline, etc.

Tell club members: If any of the three sides of the triangle are removed (heat, air, or fuel), the fire will go out. This is called breaking the triangle.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Play "Fire Feud" with the club members. Divide the club into two teams. Bring two participants, one from each team, to the front with you. Ask them a question about the fire safety triangle. Example questions are given below. The member who makes a "smoke alarm beeping" sound first, wins a chance to answer the question. Play several rounds and keep track of the team points. Prizes can be given to thewinning team.

Fire Feud Questions

1. Where does a lightning bolt fit in the fire triangle? (Answer: heat source)
2. Wood is an example of which component of the fire triangle? (Answer: fuel source)
3. When you spray water on a fire, the fire triangle is broken. What does the water take away? (Answer: oxygen source)
4. A lighter will not create a flame when it is empty because it is missing _____? (Answer: fuel)
5. Out of the components of a fire triangle, kerosene is an example of a _____? (Answer: fuel)
6. You can break the fire triangle by using a carbon dioxide or dry chemical fire extinguisher on the flames. When you do this, what are you taking away? (Answer: oxygen)
7. Chemicals and chemical reactions are examples of which two parts of the fire triangle? (Answer: heat source and fuel source)
8. An engine is an example of what fire component? (Answer: heat source)
9. You are watching fireworks on July 4. After the fireworks explode in the sky, you watch the sparks fall to the ground. You notice that all of the flames go out before reaching the ground. Why did the flames go out? What part of the fire triangle is missing? (Answer: fuel source.)
10. You drop a lit match into a bucket of water. The flame dies. What component of the fire triangle is missing? (Answer: oxygen)
11. You place a glass over a lit candle. The flame dies. What did you take away? (Answer: oxygen)
12. You are burning a candle and notice that the wick is almost completely burned. Moments later, the flame dies. What component of the fire triangle is gone? (Answer: fuel source)

You may also want to make up some questions of your own.

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