If a fire starts, what is the first action for an untrained person?

If a fire starts, what is the first action for an untrained person?

• A. Locate the nearest portable fire extinguisher
• B. Determine the class of fire
• C. Attempt to fight the fire
• D. Call 911

Answer: (D)

When a fire starts, safety for the untrained person means getting professional help on the scene as fast as possible. Calling 911 ensures firefighters are dispatched quickly and can coordinate evacuation and suppression. Fires can grow rapidly and produce dangerous smoke, so delaying to assess the fire’s size or type or to try fighting it can put you at serious risk. Determining the fire class or attempting to use an extinguisher requires training and can backfire if the fire is not actually small or contained. You should alert others and exit to safety, while the help is on the way. That’s why calling 911 first is the best action.

When a fire starts, safety for the untrained person means getting professional help on the scene as fast as possible. Calling 911 ensures firefighters are dispatched quickly and can coordinate evacuation and suppression. Fires can grow rapidly and produce dangerous smoke, so delaying to assess the fire’s size or type or to try fighting it can put you at serious risk. Determining the fire class or attempting to use an extinguisher requires training and can backfire if the fire is not actually small or contained. You should alert others and exit to safety, while the help is on the way. That’s why calling 911 first is the best action.