Fire Safety Merit Badge

Requirements for the Fire Safety merit badge:

1. Do the following:
   1. Demonstrate the technique of stop, drop, cover, roll, cover your face, and cool. Explain how burn injuries can be prevented.
   2. List the most frequent causes of burn injuries.
   3. Explain how to safely store flammable and combustible liquids. Describe the options available for safely disposing of unwanted hazardous substances in your community.
2. Explain the concept of fire and name the parts of the fire tetrahedron. Name the products of combustion. Describe the life cycle of a fire.
3. Name the most frequent causes of fire in the home and give examples of ways they can be prevented. Include a discussion about fires caused by smoking in the home, cooking, candles, fireplaces, and electrical appliances.
4. Do the following:
   1. Explain the four classifications of fire origin (accidental, natural, incendiary, or undetermined) and give an example of each.
   2. Describe how a fire classified as incendiary might lead to criminal prosecution of a person charged with arson.
   3. Explain some of the social, economic and environmental consequences that result from incendiary fires that damage or destroy structures and wildlands.
5. List the actions and common circumstances that cause seasonal and holiday-related fires. Explain how these fires can be prevented.
6. Conduct a home safety survey with the help of an adult. Then do the following:
   1. Draw a home fire-escape plan, create a home fire-drill schedule, and conduct a home fire drill.
   2. Identify the location of all smoke alarms in your home and confirm that none are more than 10 years old. Test each smoke alarm and demonstrate regular maintenance of a smoke alarm.
   3. Explain what to do when you smell natural gas and when you smell smoke.
   4. Explain how you would report a fire to have the fire department respond.
   5. Explain what fire safety equipment can be found in public buildings.
   6. Explain who should use fire extinguishers and when these devices can be used.
   7. Explain how to extinguish a stovetop pan fire.
   8. Explain what fire safety precautions you should take when you are in a public building.
7. Do the following:
   1. Demonstrate lighting a match safely, the proper way to extinguish it and to dispose of it.
   2. Demonstrate the safe way to start a charcoal fire.
   3. Demonstrate how to safely light a candle. Discuss with your counselor how to safely use candles.
8. Explain the difference between combustible and noncombustible liquids and between combustible and noncombustible fabrics.
9. Do the following:
   1. Describe for your counselor the safe way to refuel a liquid fueled engine, such as a lawn mower, weed eater, outboard motor, farm machine, or automobile with fuel from an approved gasoline container.
   2. Demonstrate the safety factors, such as proper ventilation, for auxiliary heating devices and the proper way to fuel those devices.
10. Do the following:
    1. Explain the costs associated with outdoor and wildland fires and how they can be prevented.
    2. Demonstrate setting up and putting out a cooking fire.
    3. Demonstrate using a camp stove and lantern.
    4. Explain how to set up a campsite safe from fire.
11. Visit a fire station. Identify the various types of fire trucks and describe the functions of each. Find out about the fire prevention activities in your community during your visit.
12. Determine if smoke detectors are required in all dwellings within your municipality. If so, explain which specific types are required. Tell your counselor what type of smoke detectors your house has or needs.
13. Choose a fire safety-related career that interests you and describe the level of education required and responsibilities of a person in that position. Tell why this position interests you.