Fire Quiz Answers/Explanations
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Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

1. Where do the majority of fire deaths in the U.S. occur?

In the home.

Correct answer is b. "In the home." According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), over 80% of fire deaths occur in the home most often claiming the lives of the young, the elderly and the disadvantaged.

2. What is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S.?

Cooking

Correct answer is c."Cooking" According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in this country. Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths, and heating and arson are the second and third leading causes of both residential fires and fire deaths, respectively.

3. How many smoke detectors should you have in your home?

At least one on each level and outside each bed room

Correct answer is d. "At least one on each level and outside each bed room" according to the NFPA, smoke detectors should be installed on every level of your home including the basement (on the ceiling or 6 to 8 inches below the ceiling on side walls.) State Fire Prevention laws require detectors outside each bedroom. Some buildings are required to have detectors in common halls and be directly wired to a central system. This depends on the building's size. Smoke detectors should be properly maintained and batteries should be tested each month and replaced at least once a year. A working smoke detector is the first line of defense against fire for you and your family and dramatically increases a person’s chance of surviving a fire.

4. What is the best way to protect your children in case of fire?

All of the above

Correct answer is d. "All of the above". It is important to discuss fire prevention and fire safety with children to discourage them from playing with fire and fire sources and to prepare them in the case of fire. Click to download the USFA Fact Sheet on Teaching Children Fire Safety.

5.The proper use of extension cords includes which of the following?

for reasonable extension to electrical socket.

Correct answer is c. "for reasonable extension to electrical socket." Running cords under carpeting or across doorways are both fire hazards and are against the State Fire Code. Traffic across doorways and on carpets may cause cords to fray which can ignite carpets. Extension cords are also not to be used for the purpose of gaining extra outlets. This may overload the outlet which also poses a fire risk.

6. Most recent statistics indicate that over what percent of fire deaths occur in homes where there are no working smoke detectors?

50%.

Correct answer is b. "50%." The Brookline Fire Department and the National Fire Prevention Association alert that the most recent statistics indicate 50% of fire deaths occur in homes where there are no working smoke detectors.