Practice question

If you have a fire due to gasoline, what is the safest approach?

  1. Use water to extinguish the flames
  2. Smother the flames with a heavy blanket or coat
  3. Run away and leave the fire to burn
  4. Wave your arms to signal for help

Answer: B — Smother the flames with a heavy blanket or coat

Using a heavy blanket or coat to smother the flames is the safest approach if a fire is caused by gasoline. This method effectively cuts off the fire's oxygen supply, which is essential for combustion, thereby extinguishing the flames. It's crucial to note that fires fueled by flammable liquids like gasoline can spread rapidly and have intense flames. Using water on such fires is highly discouraged because it can cause the fire to spread, as water is less dense than gasoline and can exacerbate the situation. Running away from the fire may not solve the problem and could put others at risk, while signaling for help does not provide immediate assistance in extinguishing the flames. Therefore, smothering the fire with a heavy blanket or coat is the most effective and immediate action to take in this scenario.

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