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Summaries · Grade 5 Natural Sciences › Combustion and fire safety
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Combustion and fire safety

How fire burns, the fire triangle, and what to do when there is a fire. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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How fire burns

Fuel(wood, paper, gas)Oxygen(from the air)Heat (a spark or flame)
All three sides must be there for a fire.

A fuel is a material that stores energy and can burn: wood, coal, paper, gas, paraffin, petrol and candle wax. This stored chemical energy first came from the Sun, through plants (input energy). When the fuel burns, it gives off the energy as heat and light (output energy). Food is the fuel for our bodies. Complete combustion happens with enough oxygen. When fuel burns, carbon dioxide is released.

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If there is a fire

  1. Leave the building and call for help (10177).
  2. Crawl low in a smoky room: cleaner air is near the floor. Smoke can make you collapse.
  3. Close doors behind you: it slows down the fire and smoke.
  4. Clothes on fire: stop, drop and roll.
Stop, drop and roll!
Stop, drop and roll!
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Prevent fires

  • A smoke detector warns people when there is smoke; a fire extinguisher puts out a fire.
  • Paraffin stoves must stand on a flat surface so they cannot tip over.
  • Put out a campfire with water and stir the ash until cold.
  • A firebreak around a farm blocks a veld fire’s path.
  • Keep matches away from children and never leave a fire unattended.
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Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary
  • The fire triangle: fuel, oxygen and heat.
  • Cut off the oxygen and the fire goes out. Sand is not a fuel.
  • Never throw water on an oil fire: put a lid on it and switch off the heat.
  • Clothes on fire? Stop, drop and roll. Smoke? Crawl low.
  • Emergency number for fire or ambulance: 10177.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

Clothes on fire? Stop, drop, roll. Smoke? Get low, get out, stay out. Call 10177.

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

First say what the word means, then turn the card over.

Test yourself · Part 2

True or false?

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