According to a study, over 3,500 fire incidents occur each year in the US. Another study indicates that those incidents cause more than $112 million in property damage.
All these stats paint a serious picture of how widespread those incidents are. However, preventing them is not impossible. By implementing a few measures, you can not only save lives but also avoid costly damage.
In today’s article, we’ll be talking about some of those measures. Let’s get started.
Build Emergency Evacuation Routes
It won’t be an exaggeration to call it the most important fire protection measure (which, sadly, most people overlook). If a fire occurs, the first thing people should do is evacuate the building immediately.
And things can take an extremely ugly turn if people can’t find an easy way to get out. There must be proper emergency exit points installed on every floor so that the damage can be controlled. Once people are out, the fire brigade can conduct its operations smoothly to put out the fire. Though there will still be damage to the property, it’s far less serious.
Inspect the Fire Extinguisher Equipment Regularly
Several types of alarms are usually installed in buildings, but they don’t work when they’re needed. It’s important to ensure the alarm system works properly so people can take action the moment something bad happens.
You should also place the extinguisher within 75 feet of travel distance, especially in high-risk areas like the kitchen or near electrical panels. You should also learn the PASS method (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep) to operate the system confidently.
Lastly, automatic fire sprinkler systems are highly effective at containing flames. But they can only work when you take proper care of them.
Practice Safe Habits Regularly
Fire hazards can appear in almost any area. But you can reduce their chances of appearing if you follow certain safety prevention habits.
For example, make sure the waste is properly moved to the recycling bins (instead of piling up). Similarly, extension cords should also be used temporarily (folded properly when the task is complete).Â
You also need to keep the cigarette butts and containers away from flammable materials. Nothing hot should be on without someone in attendance. Nothing should also be hanging from the fire sprinkler piping.
Taking care of all these things ensures that you prevent the hazards before they even happen.
Train Yourself and Your Staff
Are you a homeowner? It’s important to get basic training in responding to fire-related incidents when they rear their ugly heads. You should know how to operate sprinklers and other safety equipment.
And if you’re a business owner, you must train your workers and employees on how to properly do emergency exits. There should also be a dedicated fire safety team working in your building around the clock.
Bottom Line
There are two aspects of dealing with fire hazards. One is making sure the fire doesn’t occur in the first place. And the second is dealing with the situation once it is there. You should focus on both to ensure people and your property stay protected.