Residential Fire Safety Flashcards

Which material should NEVER be used to smother a grease fire on the stovetop?

Answer: Water

Water causes grease fires to violently explode and spread because steam instantly forms and disperses burning oil.

What is the recommended minimum clearance between a space heater and combustible materials?

Answer: 3 feet

The NFPA recommends keeping all combustible items at least 3 feet away from space heaters to prevent ignition.

When planning a home fire escape route, how many exits should each room ideally have?

Answer: At least two — a primary and a secondary

Every room should have at least two escape routes — typically the door and a window — in case one is blocked by fire.

What does the 'PASS' acronym stand for when using a fire extinguisher?

Answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side — the standard extinguisher technique.

Which home feature significantly reduces the risk of death in a residential fire?

Answer: A home sprinkler system

Home fire sprinkler systems reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by about 80% according to NFPA research.

If you are trapped in a room during a home fire, what should you do to the door before opening it?

Answer: Feel it with the back of your hand for heat before opening

Feeling the door with the back of your hand checks for heat on the other side — if hot, opening it could expose you to a flashover.

What is the primary reason homeowners should clean their chimney annually?

Answer: To remove creosote buildup that can ignite and cause a chimney fire

Creosote, a byproduct of burning wood, accumulates in chimneys and is highly flammable — annual cleaning removes this fire hazard.