What to do if…
you develop a worsening cough or wheeze after breathing in smoke from a fire

What to do now

1. Move into clean air and stay there. Go outside or to a clearly smoke-free, well-ventilated place. Keep away from the affected room or building while you are symptomatic.

2. Do a quick carbon monoxide check. If the fire or smoke was indoors, in a small enclosed space, or near a boiler, cooker, heater, fireplace, generator, or fuel-burning appliance, treat carbon monoxide as possible if:

   • more than one person in the property feels unwell;
   • symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, unusual tiredness, confusion, or shortness of breath;
   • symptoms seem better in fresh air and worse inside.

3. If carbon monoxide or a gas issue is possible, get everyone outside and do not go back in. In Great Britain, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 once you are outside and safe. In Northern Ireland, follow the relevant-service link on the Gas Safe Register page. If anyone is severely unwell, collapsed, very drowsy, confused, or struggling to breathe, call 999 first.

4. Check for emergency signs now. Call 999 if any apply:

   • severe difficulty breathing, gasping, choking, or not being able to get words out;
   • blue, grey, or very pale lips or skin;
   • sudden confusion, collapse, or extreme drowsiness;
   • chest pain, or a tight or heavy chest;
   • throat tightness, rapidly worsening hoarse voice, or a harsh, noisy breathing-in sound;
   • facial burns, soot around the mouth or nose, or burns inside the mouth.

5. If you have asthma and have your own reliever inhaler, use it as directed in your asthma action plan. Sit upright. If you do not have your inhaler, you feel worse at any time, or the maximum dose in your plan does not help, call 999.

6. Get urgent medical advice now if you are not in the 999 group but symptoms are worsening. Call 111 if it is available where you are, or use your local urgent medical advice or out-of-hours service. In England, you can use 111 online. Say: “I breathed in smoke from a fire and I’m developing worsening cough or wheeze hours later.”

7. Make a short note to share with the clinician or call handler:

   • when the smoke exposure happened and roughly how long it lasted;
   • whether it was indoors, in a small room, or in an enclosed space;
   • what burned, such as food, oil, wood, wiring, plastic, furniture, or upholstery;
   • your symptoms now, including wheeze, breathlessness, chest tightness, hoarse voice, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, or drowsiness;
   • any asthma, COPD, heart condition, pregnancy, or current medicines and inhalers.