PIF: Fire Safety - Shut It Out (c.1986)

Easily one of the creepiest fire safety PIFs ever created, and one that gave me nightmares for years. Also, one of my first uses in anger of a TV capture card. Featuring a perverse cat-and-mouse chase (or, small-girl-and-big-tank chase) and a very graphic demonstration of how simply closing a door can hold off even a flamethrower long enough for you to hug your woobie. Or escape, if you prefer. The concept is extreme. The photography and the soundtrack make it chilling.
This version, recorded off-air from ITV Central in 1986, carries the Derbyshire County Council logo. It was also networked and rebranded by other local authorities.
Original footage: Off-air recording from ITV Central, 1986. Originally encoded in Indeo. Re-encoded uncompressed for compatibility.

[@outlaw2747]

Who the heck let a flame throwing T-34 just run rampant in the house again?

[@calebmcfarland8407]

Again?! I don't even want to know what happened the first time. I'm scared...

[@eleanorhogan8643]

Good question.

[@oscarosullivan4513]

Interesting choice using a soviet tank

[@sanchoodell6789]

Knew it was a bad idea getting Tod that big tank for his birthday. Should've given him the Spectrum ZX instead!

[@oscarosullivan4513]

Interesting Given that Ken Livingstone was mayor at that time. Correction it was Derbyshire council.

[@spy4863]

I notice that the VO's script was changed from "It will give you 10 precious minutes to get out." to "It will give you precious minutes to get out." Did they change it because they realized that how much time you have to get out depends on the thickness of the door? That's what I figure.

[@youtubeperson8126]

The music in this PIF is just so unnerving

[@cesarrex99]

what the actual heck WE NEED MORE COMMERCIALS LIKE THIS.

[@politicallyinaccuratetoast4757]

God damnit I hate it when a T-34-85 runs rampant through my house

[@eleanorhogan8643]

Haha that is funny!

[@oscarosullivan4513]

Interesting choice using a soviet tank

[@FrostyMintSoda]

My grandpa told me they used flamethrowers back in vietnam.

[@spy4863]

I like this ad because it IS scarey and informative. I've been through two fires in my life-the first back in '79. Luckily my family and I were on vacation at the time, so no one was in the house. The second in 2005 was a grease fire that started in my apartment kitchen when I made the dumb mistake of turning my back on a pot I was trying to fry chicken in. Luckily, nobody was hurt in either fire. But I can safely say tyhat while this ad is scarey, a real fire is even scarier.

[@Landie_Man]

spy4863 this ad really pushes it home. Close the damn doors, it could just save your family.

[@lucyhogan7686]

Is it wrong that I actually find this funny? The music is a little unnerving but I find this funny.

[@dragontales1999]

Yeah, not every day does one come across a T-34 shooting fucking flames at a little girl. Yeah, it just kinda sounds too crazy and ridiculous to take seriously.

[@eleanorhogan8643]

@@dragontales1999 Agreed.

[@oscarosullivan4513]

@@dragontales1999 Interesting choice using a soviet tank

[@Mamacita8701]

It just makes you want to rescue the little girl! It's so creepy!

[@zachfox4081]

Mommy, there is a T-34 under my bed I'm scared!!!!!

[@dathardscopetho2459]

*me talking to the little girl* me:FUCKING TAKE COVER WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

[@Duvmasta]

I was never in a fire, but i've dreamed that i was in one.

[@oscillation9814]

Duvmasta Same..

[@Duvmasta]

Scare Factor: 9/10

[@hyagonascimento5797]

What is the name of the soundtrack?

[@MrnintendoSEGAfan1]

Music please?

[@LordlyJeremy]

Hey, Army scientists! Flamethrower tanks! Get on it!

[@dosvidanyagaming4123]

Hey, I know 9 years ago was a simpler time, but may I refer you to the soviet OT/TO mods? Every soviet light, medium or MBT from T-26 to T-62 had a flamethrower mod,such as OT-26, OT-34-85, TO-54/55 etc

[@blackbearish]

i didn't know a door could keep fire back for ten minutes. hmm, also had this described to me, as can't see vid, and is scary. hmm, blakcbearish runs to his den and hides. then again, if the fire is in his den, he runs out again and slams the door on the den.

[@ILoveES33]

Yeah, slightly creepy!!!! (shakes head, briefly considers running to parents)

[@dukes945]

im scared

[@alexiscortez]

why is this ad supposed 2 b scary?

[@BlixyBlix]

Wtf