Safety Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Home Fires

This is National Fire Prevention Week, a time in which fire departments, burn institutes and others work to educate the public about fire and its dangers. Fire kills about 5,000 people in the United States every year--most of them in their homes.

The National Fire Prevention Assn. has developed this fire safety quiz to help dispel the myths about fire.

1. What is the leading cause of home fires? (a) smoking materials, (b) arson, (c) heating equipment, (d) electrical equipment.

2. What is the No. 1 cause of home fire fatalities? (a) lighting, (b) smoking materials, (c) cooking equipment, (d) electrical equipment.

3. Where do the majority of fire deaths occur? (a) school, (b) home, (c) work, (d) vehicles.

4. The least fire-safe roofing material is: (a) untreated wood shakes, (b) asphalt, (c) slate, (d) tile.

5. When do the largest number of home fires and associated fatalities occur? (a) spring, (b) summer, (c) fall, (d) winter.

6. Which of the following time segments accounts for the largest number of home fire deaths? (a) midnight to 4 a.m., (b) 4 a.m. to 10 a.m., (c) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., (d) 6 p.m. to midnight .

7. In which room do the largest number of home fires start? (a) closet, (b) utility room, (c) kitchen , (d) attic.

8. Most fire deaths result from burns. (a) true, (b) false.

9. If a fire occurred while you were sleeping, the smoke would awaken you. (a) true, (b) false.

10. If your clothing were to catch fire, you should (a) run to the bathtub or shower, (b) sit still and yell for help, (c) stop, drop and roll, (d) put baking soda on it.

11. If a small grease fire starts when you’re cooking, you should NOT: (a) escape and then call the fire department, (b) pour water on it, (c) slide a lid over the pan, (d) turn off the heat.

12. If you receive a mild burn while cooking, you should: (a) pack it with ice, (b) smear butter on it, (c) run cool water over it, (d) apply ointment.

The correct answers: 1. c, 2. b, 3. b, 4. a, 5. d, 6. a, 7. c, 8. b, 9. b, 10. c, 11. b, 12. c.