A residential smoke alarm mounted on a ceiling.

Safety learning collection

SAFETY QUIZZES

Fire safety.

Review fire prevention, smoke alarms and safe escape decisions at home.

20 QUESTIONS · NO TIMER

Put your knowledge into practice.

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1. Which habit helps prevent cooking fires?

Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food.
Leave the stove on while running an errand.
Store towels beside the burner.
Ignore smoke from overheated oil.

Correct answer: Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food.

Unattended cooking is a major fire risk. Turn the burner off if you must leave the kitchen.

2. If your clothing catches fire and you can safely get to the ground, what should you do?

Run to create a breeze.
Stop, drop, cover your face and roll.
Keep standing and fan the flames.
Remove burning clothing while running.

Correct answer: Stop, drop, cover your face and roll.

Rolling helps smother flames. Running can make them spread; seek emergency medical help for serious burns.

3. How often should you test home smoke alarms?

Only when you smell smoke.
Once every five years.
At least once a month.
Only after replacing the alarm.

Correct answer: At least once a month.

Use the test button monthly. Follow manufacturer instructions for batteries and maintenance, including sealed-battery models.

4. A small pan fire starts on the stove and you can act without danger. What is the safer response?

Pour water into the burning oil.
Carry the burning pan outside.
Throw flour onto the flames.
Slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner; leave it covered.

Correct answer: Slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner; leave it covered.

Do not move the pan or use water. If you cannot safely control the situation, get out and call 911.

5. A smoke alarm wakes you. What should you do?

Collect valuables.
Leave by a safe escape route.
Silence it and sleep.
Open doors without checking.

Correct answer: Leave by a safe escape route.

Act immediately. Use a safe alternative if smoke blocks your planned route.

6. Why leave promptly when a smoke alarm sounds?

You always have several minutes.
Rooms are safe without visible flames.
Fire and smoke can become deadly quickly.
A second alarm must sound first.

Correct answer: Fire and smoke can become deadly quickly.

USFA warns escape time could be under two minutes. No escape interval is guaranteed.

7. A closed door feels hot during a fire. What should you do?

Open it wide.
Stay silent.
Break every window.
Keep it closed; use another safe exit.

Correct answer: Keep it closed; use another safe exit.

Danger may be beyond the door. If trapped, close yourself away from smoke and call 911.

8. Where is a suitable place to keep a home fire extinguisher?

Behind items that must be moved first.
Where a stove fire would block access.
In a locked cupboard with no accessible key.
An accessible place near an exit, with the escape route kept clear.

Correct answer: An accessible place near an exit, with the escape route kept clear.

You should be able to reach it while keeping a safe way out. An extinguisher never replaces evacuation.

9. What makes fire escape practice useful?

Only one adult knows the plan.
Everyone meets somewhere different.
Include retrieving belongings.
Everyone rehearses routes to an outdoor meeting place.

Correct answer: Everyone rehearses routes to an outdoor meeting place.

Keep exits clear and arrange assistance household members need.

10. Which extinguisher rating covers energized electrical equipment?

Class A only, regardless of other markings.
Class C, often included on an ABC-rated extinguisher.
Class K only, regardless of other markings.
Any unmarked extinguisher filled with water.

Correct answer: Class C, often included on an ABC-rated extinguisher.

Use an extinguisher only with suitable training, a small contained fire, safe air and a clear exit. When unsure, leave.

11. Fire blocks your room exit. What should you do?

Hide silently.
Enter the smoke.
Close the door, call 911 and signal.
Immediately jump from a high window.

Correct answer: Close the door, call 911 and signal.

Report your exact location. Limit smoke entry and signal from a window with a light or cloth.

12. Why is entering smoke dangerous?

Smoke is harmless without flames.
Holding your breath guarantees safety.
A wet towel removes every toxic gas.
Toxic gases and poor visibility can overcome you.

Correct answer: Toxic gases and poor visibility can overcome you.

Stay out. Tell firefighters if anyone remains inside.

13. Which routine helps reduce clothes-dryer fire risk?

Clean the lint filter for each load and keep the vent system clear.
Run the dryer without its lint filter.
Ignore longer drying times.
Use a crushed vent hose to save space.

Correct answer: Clean the lint filter for each load and keep the vent system clear.

Lint buildup restricts airflow and can ignite. Follow manufacturer instructions and arrange vent cleaning as needed.

14. How much clear space should you keep around a space heater?

A few inches from curtains.
At least three feet from things that can burn.
Enough space only for its power cord.
No gap if the heater has a thermostat.

Correct answer: At least three feet from things that can burn.

Bedding, clothing and furniture can catch fire. Follow the heater instructions and turn it off when leaving or sleeping.

15. How should matches and lighters be stored in a home with children?

In an unlocked bedside drawer.
On a low shelf with toys.
Up high, out of sight and reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
Where children can try them under their own supervision.

Correct answer: Up high, out of sight and reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.

Keep ignition sources under adult control. Teach children to tell a trusted adult when they find matches or lighters.

16. Where should smoke alarms be installed?

Only in the kitchen.
Only in the room nearest the front door.
Only on the top floor.
In every bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level, including the basement.

Correct answer: In every bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level, including the basement.

Alarms need to reach sleeping people throughout the home. Follow placement instructions and use suitable alerts for hearing loss.

17. Which is the safer approach to storing flammable household products?

Use approved, labeled containers away from heat and ignition sources.
Keep gasoline in an open bucket indoors.
Transfer solvents into drink bottles.
Store flammable liquids beside a furnace.

Correct answer: Use approved, labeled containers away from heat and ignition sources.

Follow product labels and local storage rules. Keep hazardous materials out of living spaces and away from children.

18. What is the safest substitute for an open-flame decorative candle?

A candle placed beside a curtain.
A battery-operated flameless candle.
A candle left burning while you sleep.
A candle in an unstable holder.

Correct answer: A battery-operated flameless candle.

Flameless candles avoid an open flame. Extinguish real candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.

19. Outside a fire, you think someone remains inside. What should you do?

Re-enter.
Ask a neighbor to search.
Enter another door.
Stay out and tell responders their last location.

Correct answer: Stay out and tell responders their last location.

Clear information helps firefighters. Going back can create another victim.

20. How should you normally evacuate a high-rise fire?

Use stairs and follow official instructions.
Use an elevator unless smoky.
Always go to the roof.
Enter a smoke-filled stairwell.

Correct answer: Use stairs and follow official instructions.

Follow the building plan. Use elevators only if firefighters direct you; report a blocked escape route.

Educational practice. This quiz is not a certification or a substitute for hands-on training. For emergency assistance, call 911.

Guidance behind this quiz

Answers reviewed November 2026 against the following public guidance.