Which statement best describes combustible materials?

The statement that combustible materials require high temperatures to catch fire is accurate because these materials typically have a higher ignition temperature than flammable materials. Combustible materials do not ignite as easily and need a significant heat source to reach the necessary temperature for combustion. This characteristic is vital in understanding how different materials behave under fire hazards and informs the safety measures that should be taken when handling or storing such materials.

In contrast, the idea that combustible materials ignite instantly when exposed to air is misleading, as they do not catch fire without reaching their specific ignition temperature. While some combustible materials can be solids, they can also exist in liquid or gas forms, thus not restricting them to being only solid substances. Lastly, categorizing combustible materials as safer than flammable materials fails to consider that while they are less likely to ignite easily, they can still pose significant fire hazards under the right conditions. Proper understanding of these properties is essential for effective hazard communication and safety protocols in handling materials.