Smoke inhalation can be fatal. Most victims of indoor fires succumb to death due to smoke inhalation—rather than the fire itself. Inhaling the smoke transports the particles into the lungs, and lung damage is the outcome. Older adults and young children are most vulnerable to ill health. Breathing in smoke particles leads to coughing, scratchy throat, wheezing and a runny nose. Exposure to smoke particles can cause stinging eyes. Some individuals who inhale smoke experience chest pain, a fast heartbeat and headaches. Asthma attacks can be triggered by inhaling smoke. Skin irritation is another outcome of smoke exposure. The airborne smoke particles travel through the property and become embedded in clothing and linens. Wearing clothes affected by smoke damage or sleeping in smoke-covered bedding can result in skin irritation long after the fire is extinguished. Smoke particles can be doubly toxic, depending on the contents burned. A fire that occurs in a house filled with plastics will emit both soot and poisonous gases, like carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride. The flammable compounds in smoke can be ignited through open flames.