Q 01/05

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, what is by far the leading cause of home fires?

A) Cooking

B) Heating equipment

C) Smoking

D) Electrical faults

Answer · why

A) Cooking

Unattended equipment is the biggest single factor, which is why the advice is simply to stand by your pan.

Q 02/05

A pan on the stove catches fire. What does the U.S. Fire Administration say to cover it with?

A) A soaking-wet bath towel

B) A pan lid or baking sheet

C) A big cup of cold water

D) A handful of flour

Answer · why

B) A pan lid or baking sheet

Sliding a lid over the pan cuts off the oxygen; a stream of water on burning oil scatters the fuel and spreads the flames.

Q 03/05

Once a smoke alarm sounds, the US Fire Administration says you may have under how long to get out?

A) 30 seconds

B) 5 minutes

C) 2 minutes

D) 10 minutes

Answer · why

C) 2 minutes

That is why the advice is to find two ways out of every room and pick an outside meeting place in advance.

Q 04/05

How often does the U.S. Fire Administration say you should test your smoke alarms?

A) Every week

B) Once a year

C) Twice a year

D) Every month

Answer · why

D) Every month

Pressing the test button is enough; the whole unit should be replaced every 10 years from its manufacture date.

Q 05/05

After how many years does the U.S. Fire Administration say an entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced?

A) 10

B) 5

C) 15

D) 20

Answer · why

A) 10

The NFPA has required the ten-year replacement since 1999; the sensors degrade even if the battery is fresh.