Fire! Discuss health, safety or security concerns arising from a specific incident or emergency in a health or social care setting.

Another health concern that could arise in the case of a fire includes the effects of the fire and/or the fire itself harming the service users, health care professionals or any other individual inside the building trying to get out. Usually thick smoke from a fire does not harm individuals, however this can differ when taking into account the level, extent, and duration of exposure to the smoke. Also factors like the age of the individual, individual susceptibility. These all play a significant role in determining whether or not someone will experience smoke-related problems. As many of the service users within the hospital may already be in a vulnerable state, the exposure to smoke may worsen their condition if not addressed quickly. Some of the effects of smoke exposure to a service user already suffering from respiratory problems can include the inability to breathe normally, excessive cough with or without mucus, discomfort in the chest and wheezing or shortness of breath. All problems that can lead to more serious problems if not looked at and fixed as quickly as possible.

Another problem that can occur during the case of a fire, can include a safety breach. When the fire alarm is set off inside the hospital it is important to follow the procedure and get everybody to evacuate the building. However there are many different floors, wards and sectors in a hospital, and a lot of people inside the hospital with different levels of ability to safely leave the hospital without the aid of others. This alone can be a safety issue, as service users within the hospital who may be less able to leave the premises on their own, may be kept waiting inside the potentially dangerous building longer than others which in turn leads to then being exposed to the smoke and or harmful chemicals within the air. Also during the chaos of leaving the building there may be a lot of pushing and shoving involved as everybody tries to get out of the building. With a lack of safety for service users, this can lead to accidents. These can be both minor and serious.