Smoke is not safe to breathe — Health, 4–6 years
Breathing smoke can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. A child can move away, get fresh air and tell an adult when smoke is nearby.
Smoke in the air
Smoke is made of tiny bits and gases from something burning. When we breathe it in, those bits can travel into the airways that carry air to our lungs. Smoke may make eyes water, cause coughing or make breathing feel harder.
Why we move away
People discovered that regular smoke makes breathing passages sore and can make some people ill. Moving away gives the lungs cleaner air and helps the body recover from the irritation. Smoke from a fire can also mean danger, so an adult needs to know about it quickly.
Smoke near the barbecue
At a picnic, a gust blows barbecue smoke towards Ana. First, she does not stand in the smoky cloud or play near the fire. She walks with her adult to a place where the air is clearer and says that her eyes sting. The adult checks that she is breathing comfortably and moves the group if needed.
The reasonable mistake
A child may think smoke is safe if it smells like a cosy fire or if it comes from a candle. That makes sense because the fire is small and the smell may feel familiar. But smoke is still smoke, even in a tiny amount, so it is better not to breathe it on purpose and to tell an adult.
Where this helps
This helps near barbecues, fireplaces, candles, traffic and bonfires. It also matters if smoke comes from a kitchen or a building. If there is a lot of smoke or a fire, leave with an adult and follow the local safety instructions; never hide to investigate.
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