If someone catches on fire, what is the recommended action?

The recommended action when someone catches on fire is to wrap the person in a blanket. This method is effective because it smothers the flames by depriving them of oxygen, which is necessary for the fire to continue burning. A fire blanket is specifically designed for this purpose, as it can quickly cover the person and helps to extinguish the flames while protecting their body from direct contact with the heat.

Using a fire extinguisher may not be appropriate in this situation, as they are generally intended to put out fires in controlled environments, such as on surfaces or within a confined area, rather than on a person. Calling for help is definitely important, but immediate actions to smother the flames take precedence when someone's life is at risk. Using water to extinguish a person on fire is usually not safe, as it can sometimes spread the flames or cause severe burns due to the water and fire interacting poorly, especially with certain materials. Therefore, wrapping the individual in a blanket is the safest and most effective initial response.