Fire breathers use a fuel that is sprayed from the mouth over an open flame to create a plume or stream of fire). The fuel used for fire breathing is typically a liquid hydrocarbon, such as kerosene, lamp oil, or naphtha. However, these fuels are toxic and carcinogenic, and can cause negative health effects and blowback, which occurs when a flame burns back toward the fire breathers mouth. To reduce the risks associated with fire breathing, some performers use safer combustibles with a higher flash point (>50 °C), such as paraffin or highly purified lamp oil). Corn starch, powdered sugar, or powdered non-dairy creamer can also be used as a safe fuel, as they contain carbohydrates that burn instantly when dispersed into a fine powder. Regardless of the fuel used, fire breathing is always a dangerous activity, and proper technique and safety precautions are necessary to reduce the risk of injury or death).