Before attempting to operate a fire extinguisher, what condition should be true?

• A. The extinguisher is unused and new.
• B. Everyone else is outside.
• C. The fire is already big.
• D. You can safely reach the fire and have an escape path.

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is safety first: you should only attempt to use a fire extinguisher if you can reach the fire and still have a safe way to escape. If you can’t move to the fire with a clear exit path behind you, you should not try to fight it—evacuate and alert others or call for help instead. Extinguishers are meant for small, controllable fires, not for situations where you might become trapped or overwhelmed. The other conditions—whether the extinguisher is new, whether everyone is outside, or that the fire is already large—don’t determine whether it’s safe to attempt use; the critical factor is whether you can reach the fire and still retreat to safety.