Fire Safety

Last year there were over 1.2 million fires reported in the United States; resulting in over 3,000 civilian deaths, 15,000 civilian injuries and over $11.5 billion in property damage.

The good news is that these deaths and other losses are preventable. In order to prevent potentially devestating fires, we all must take proper precautions to prevent potentially devestating fires.

With proper planning, education, training and equipment you have the ability to:

• Reduce the likelihood of a fire
• Alert those in the vicinity of an untrolled fire
• Better enable those threatened by a fire to survive and evacuate
• Reduce the damage caused by a fire

We will cover the common causes of household and business fires, as well as ways you can prepare for and prevent fires.

Image Courtesy www.nfpa.org

There is, unfortunately, a long and tragic history of workplace fires that are completely preventable. Calolympic has not been immune to such tragedies: in 1963 a fire ravaged the Calolympic warehouse, destroying all in its path.

Employees have a right to work in a safe workplace. To ensure proper fire prevention precautions and safety plans are being implemented, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) conducts fire safety inspections.

As we can see from the graph, cooking equipment is the number one cause of business structure fires. Understanding common causes of office structure fires is an important step in identifying potential hazards, reducing or eliminating those hazards, and taking steps to ensure continued safety. It is every business' responsibility to have a fire prevention plan.

Business Fire Prevention

To reduce fire-related accidents in the workplace, employers should:

• Have a Fire Prevention Plan
  • The plan should be in writing and include the features of each building and its occupants
  • Include evacuation procedures
  • Make the plan available to all employees
  • Update the written plan annually
• Provide Employee Fire Safety Training
  • Employees need to be familiar with the facility and its fire safety systems (alarms, smoke detectors, exit doors & stairwells, fire extinguishers, etc.)
• Conduct Fire Drills
• Create and Support a Hazard-Free Workplace
  • No overloading electrical sockets
  • Do not put extension cords under carpet or where they can be pinched
  • No clutter near exits or stairways
  • Keep smoking areas away from combustible pathways

You can expect to average a fire in your home every 15 years, or, five fires in an average lifetime (nfpa.org). Even the smallest fire needs to be handled effectively and quickly to ensure the least amount of damage possible.

It is every homeowner's responsibility to educate themselves and their family on fire prevention. There are countless resources available that provide step-by-step instructions on what to do to prevent and prepare for a fire.

As with business, the leading cause of household fires is cooking equipment. The best way to protect yourself and your home is to identify and remove these fire hazards. A practiced fire escape plan, along with a working smoke alarm, can save you and your family's lives. In fact, having a working smoke alarm reduces one's changes of dying in a fire by nearly half.

Household Fire Prevention

To reduce fire hazards and prepare for fires, every home should:

• Create a Fire Escape Plan
• Create a map of your home, including all possible exits and escape routes, marking two ways out of each room
• Mark the location of each smoke detector
• Include an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone meets after they've escaped
• Make arrangements for family members that have mobile limitations
• Practice your fire escape plan at least twice a year, making the drill as realistic as possible.
• Reduce or eliminate fire hazards from your home
  • Never leave food unattended on the stove
  • Keep cooking areas free from flammable objects
  • Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing while cooking
  • Use appliances following the manufacturer's safety precautions
  • Unplug appliances when not in use
  • Keep portable heaters at least 3-feet away from anything combustible
  • Never overload circuits or extension cords
  • Cover all outlets, especially with small children in the home
  • Use fire screens for your fireplace and have chimney cleaned annually
  • Never smoke in bed or leave cigarettes unattended
  • Test smokes alarms every month to ensure they work
  • Teach children fire is not a toy (keep matches and lighters out of reach)

• "Protecting Your Family From Fire" Article
• Homeowner's Checklist
• Home Fire Safety Info
• Home Fire Safety Tips
• OSHA Employer Safety Requirements
• OSHA Fire Prevention Checklist
• CDC Fire Facts
• NFPA Household Fire Facts
• NFPA Office Fire Facts
• NFPA Fire Escape Planning