Firefighter Practice Exam

What is a recommended action if someone's clothing catches on fire?

1. Strip off the loose garment

2. Wrap the victim in a blanket

3. Get the victim to run

4. Use water to douse the flames

The correct answer is: Wrap the victim in a blanket

Wrapping the victim in a blanket is the recommended action if someone's clothing catches on fire because it can help smother the flames. A blanket can effectively suffocate the fire by cutting off its oxygen supply, which is crucial since fire requires oxygen to burn. This action can also protect the skin from further burns and injuries while preventing the individual from panicking, which might happen if they are instructed to run or take other actions that could exacerbate the situation. Using water to douse the flames may seem like a viable option, but it is not always practical or safe, especially if the victim is too close to a source of flames or if the fire is large. Stripping off loose garments might additionally expose the person to more severe burns or injury, and telling someone to run can spread the fire and increases the risk of injury to the person and others nearby. Thus, wrapping in a blanket is a direct and effective method to quickly extinguish the flames and minimize harm.