What should you ensure before approaching a fire?

Before approaching a fire, ensuring that you have a clear escape route is crucial for your safety. Fires can behave unpredictably, and even a relatively small fire can quickly grow out of control or produce sudden flare-ups. By having a clear escape route, you ensure that you can quickly withdraw to safety if the situation deteriorates. This precaution minimizes the risk of getting trapped or injured.

While having protective gear and ensuring the fire is fully contained are important safety measures, they do not guarantee your ability to escape in an emergency. If you lack a clear plan for how to get away from the fire, having gear or determining the containment status does not effectively protect you in a dangerous situation. Therefore, having a clear escape route is the most critical factor before attempting to approach a fire.