Merit Badge

Updated Monday June 30, 2008

Boy Scouts of America FIRE SAFETY Merit Badge

This page lists the requirements for this merit badge, a work sheet that includes where you can find the information within this website. Also included at the bottom of this page are various web links to gather more information pertaining to this merit badge.

For a printable MS Word version of the Merit Badge requirements, click here. For a PDF version click here.

For a printable MS Word version of the Merit Badge Work Sheet, click here. For a PDF version click here.

For a printable MS Word version of the Home Fire Safety Survey, click here. For a PDF version, click here.

To go to the worksheet on this page click here. To go to the reference links click here.

1) Do the following:

A) Demonstrate the technique of stop, drop, roll, and cool. Explain how burn injuries can be prevented.

B) List the most frequent causes of burn injuries.

2) Explain the chemistry and physics of fire. Name the parts of the fire tetrahedron. Explain why vapors are important to the burning process. Name the products of combustion. Give an example of how fire grows and what happens.

3) Name the most frequent causes of fire in the home and give examples of ways it can be prevented.

4) Do the following:

A) Explain the role of human behavior in the arson problem in this country.

B) List the actions that cause seasonal fires and explain how these fires can be prevented.

5) List common circumstances that cause holiday-related fires and explain how these fires can be prevented.

6) Conduct a home safety survey with the help of an adult. Then do the following:

A) Draw a home fire escape plan, create a home fire drill schedule, and conduct a home fire drill.

B) Test a smoke alarm and demonstrate regular maintenance of a smoke alarm. (Note: Establish a pattern. For example, change smoke alarm batteries at least once a year -- on the same birthday or holiday each year, or when you set your clocks forward for daylight savings time in the spring, or back in the fall for return to standard time.

C) Explain what to do when you smell gas and when you smell smoke.

D) Explain how you would report a fire alarm.

E) Explain what fire safety equipment can be found in public buildings.

F) Explain who should use fire extinguishers and when these devices can be used.

G) Explain how to extinguish a grease pan fire.

H) Explain what fire safety precautions you should take when you are in a public building.

7) Do the following:

A) Demonstrate lighting a match safely.

B) Demonstrate the safe way to start a charcoal fire.

C) Demonstrate the safe way to melt wax.

8) Explain the difference between combustible and noncombustible liquids and between combustible and noncombustible fabrics.

9) Do the following:

A) Demonstrate the safe way to fuel a lawn mower.

B) Demonstrate the safety factors, such as proper ventilation, for auxiliary heating devices and the proper way to fuel such devices.

10) Do the following:

A) Explain the cost of outdoor and wildland fires and how to prevent them.

B) Demonstrate setting up and putting out a cooking fire.

C) Demonstrate using a camp-stove and lantern.

D) Explain how to set up a campsite safe from fire.

11) Visit a fire station. Identify the types of fire trucks. Find out about the fire prevention activities in your community.

12) 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.

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Fire Safety Work sheet

Requirement 1

___ Demonstrate the technique of stop, drop, roll, and cool. (Pamphlet Page 45), See Babysitter information page or See Burn information page

Explain how burn injuries can be prevented: See Burn information page

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

List the most frequent causes of burn injuries: See Burn information page

Cause: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Requirement 2

Explain the chemistry and physics of fire: (Pamphlet Page 8)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name the parts of the fire tetrahedron: (Pamphlet Page 10)

1: _________________________ 2: _________________________ 3: _________________________ 4: _________________________

Why are vapors important to the burning process? (Pamphlet Page 10)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name the products of combustion: (Pamphlet Page 11)

1: _________________________ 2: _________________________ 3: _________________________

Give an example of how fire grows and what happens:

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Requirement 3

Name the most frequent causes of fire in the home and give examples of ways it can be prevented. See Home Safety page (Pamphlet Page 13 through 18)

Cause #1: ______________________________________________

Prevention: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cause #2: ______________________________________________

Prevention: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cause #3: ______________________________________________

Prevention: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cause #4: ______________________________________________

Prevention: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cause #5: ______________________________________________

Prevention: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Requirement 4

Explain the role of human behavior in the arson problem in this country: (Pamphlet Page 18)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

List the actions that cause seasonal fires and explain how these fires can be prevented: (Pamphlet Page 19 through 22)

December - February: ______________________________________________

Prevention: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

March - May: ______________________________________________

Prevention: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

June - August: ______________________________________________

Prevention: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

September - November: ______________________________________________

Prevention: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Requirement 5

List common circumstances that cause holiday-related fires and explain how these fires can be prevented: See Holiday Safety page (Pamphlet Page 19 through 22)