What is the purpose of a fire extinguisher?

The purpose of a fire extinguisher is to put out small fires. Fire extinguishers are designed as portable devices containing agents that can extinguish fires in their early stages, before they escalate into larger, more dangerous incidents. They serve as a crucial first line of defense against fires, providing individuals the means to safely attempt to control a fire until professional help arrives or until it is safe to evacuate.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of a fire extinguisher. While activating the fire alarm is important for alerting others to a fire, this action is not the role of a fire extinguisher. Similarly, evacuating the building is a necessary safety procedure during a fire, but again, this is not what the fire extinguisher is meant to do. Finally, although prevention is key in fire safety, fire extinguishers are not designed to prevent fires from starting; they are solely for the purpose of extinguishing existing fires.