Fire

📖 In short

Fire is the heat and light that come from things that are burning. Ever since people discovered fire, they've used it for warmth, cooking and light, for making pottery and shaping metals. But fire is dangerous too, and we must be careful with it.

🤩 Did you know?

The English chemist John Walker invented one of the first matches in 1827.
In 1777 the scientist Lavoisier proved that burning is a fast combination with oxygen.
Most wood and plastic catch fire between 260 and 480 degrees.
Petrol catches fire very easily, so it's kept away from flames.

🔎 Find out more

🌟 The fire triangle

Fire needs three things to burn: fuel, like wood, enough heat, and oxygen from the air. Take one away and the fire goes out.

🔍 How do we put it out?

Firefighters put fires out with water, which cools them, or with sand, blankets and foam, which keep air away. But oil and electrical fires must never be put out with water.

💡 Flame colors

A flame's color shows how hot it is: a blue flame is hotter than a red or yellow one. The blue flame of a gas stove is very hot.

🎯 Fire isn't a toy

Don't play with matches, lighters or candles, and keep away from the stove. If you see a fire, get away at once, tell a grown-up and call the emergency number.