When should you use a fire extinguisher versus a fire blanket?

When should you use a fire extinguisher versus a fire blanket?

• A. The fire extinguisher is for putting out fire on objects, the fire blanket is used if a person is on fire.
• B. The fire blanket is for fires on objects; the extinguisher is for people.
• C. Extinguishers are for spills; blankets are for heat.
• D. Blankets are for all fires; extinguishers are for prevention.

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is using the right tool for the situation: extinguishing a fire on objects versus dealing with a person whose clothing is on fire. A fire extinguisher is designed to attack flames on surfaces, equipment, or spills—to actively put out the fire and prevent it from spreading. A fire blanket, on the other hand, is used to smother flames around a person or cover a small fire to cut off the oxygen supply quickly, which is the situation when someone’s clothing is on fire. So saying that the extinguisher handles fires on objects and the blanket handles a person on fire matches practical safety practice. The other statements misplace the tools or misstate their roles—for example, blankets aren’t meant for all fires and extinguishers aren’t used on people.

The key idea here is using the right tool for the situation: extinguishing a fire on objects versus dealing with a person whose clothing is on fire. A fire extinguisher is designed to attack flames on surfaces, equipment, or spills—to actively put out the fire and prevent it from spreading. A fire blanket, on the other hand, is used to smother flames around a person or cover a small fire to cut off the oxygen supply quickly, which is the situation when someone’s clothing is on fire. So saying that the extinguisher handles fires on objects and the blanket handles a person on fire matches practical safety practice. The other statements misplace the tools or misstate their roles—for example, blankets aren’t meant for all fires and extinguishers aren’t used on people.