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How do firefighters put out fires?

Firefighters spray water, foam, or special powders on a fire to stop it from getting oxygen.

A fire needs three things to start: fuel, oxygen, and heat. Firefighters put out a fire by taking away one of these three things. They use water the most, because water cools the fire down and also stops it from getting oxygen.

Sometimes firefighters use foam instead of water. This is especially true for fires with liquids like petrol. The foam covers the fire like a blanket and cuts it off from the air. For electrical fires, firefighters use special powders or carbon dioxide gas instead of water, because water can cause an electric shock.

Before going to a fire, firefighters put on special suits. These suits protect them from fire and smoke. They also carry an oxygen tank on their back, because it is hard to breathe in a smoky place.

Putting out a fire is not just about spraying water. Firefighters first rescue people, then find out where the fire started, and choose the right way to put it out.

Quick facts

For a fire to start, fuel, oxygen, and heat must all be together.
Firefighters use water the most to put out fires.
Foam is used for fires with liquids like petrol.
For electrical fires, firefighters use special powder or gas instead of water.
Firefighters carry an oxygen tank so they can breathe in smoky places.
The long ladders on fire trucks help firefighters reach tall buildings.

Check what you remember

3 questions — all of them come from the quick facts above. There is no score and no wrong turn.

1. Which three things must be together for a fire to start?

2. What is used for fires with liquids like petrol?

3. What do firefighters wear so they can breathe in smoky places?

Where this comes from

1 tr.wikipedia.org 80/100
Fire Department - Wikipedia
A general page explaining what fire departments do and their history.
2 tr.wikipedia.org 75/100
Fire - Wikipedia
Explains how fires start and how they are put out.
3 britannica.com 70/100
Fire fighting - Britannica
An encyclopedia page that explains firefighting methods in a reliable way.

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The Fire Triangle

For a fire to start, fuel, oxygen, and heat must all be together. If even one is missing, the fire goes out. Firefighters use this idea to put out fires.

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Firefighter Suits

Firefighters' suits are thick and made from special materials. These suits can handle very high heat. They also have shiny strips so firefighters can be seen easily in smoke.

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The Fire Truck

Fire trucks carry big water tanks and long hoses. Some trucks have ladders that stretch up into the sky. These ladders help firefighters reach fires in tall buildings.

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The Danger of Smoke

In a fire, smoke can be just as dangerous as the flames. Smoke makes it hard to breathe. That is why firefighters wear oxygen tanks when they go into a fire.

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