What safety device is utilized to extinguish fires?

A fire extinguisher is a safety device specifically designed to extinguish or control small fires, making it an essential tool for fire safety. It contains a certain type of extinguishing agent, such as water, foam, dry powder, or CO2, that can be deployed to combat different classes of fires. Fire extinguishers are especially effective when used in the early stages of a fire, before it spreads and becomes more dangerous.

In contrast, a fire alarm serves the purpose of detecting smoke or fire and alerting occupants to evacuate, but it does not put out the fire itself. A fire escape is a means of getting out of a building safely during a fire or emergency situation but does not extinguish flames. A fire blanket can be used to smother small fires or wrap around a person to extinguish flames, but it is not as versatile or widely used as a fire extinguisher for general fire control. Therefore, the fire extinguisher stands out as the most direct tool for extinguishing fires.