[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]It’s Fire Prevention Week, which means that it’s time once again for all of us to take stock of our fire prevention and life safety habits. Most people believe they are doing alright where fire safety is concerned, and probably aren’t in a huge hurry to reassess and make changes.
On average, however, there are nearly 500,000 structure fires per year in the United States, and over 350,000 of those are house fires. In fact, a home fire is reported every 88 seconds. That means it pays to be careful, and take a few minutes every now and then to make sure both your home and business are as prepared as possible. With that in mind, here are our top fire prevention tips for both your home and business:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]1. Test Your Smoke Alarms Regularly
Roughly three in every five house fire deaths take place in homes without working smoke detectors. Your smoke alarm is a life-saving piece of equipment – but only if it’s working! Test your smoke alarms on a monthly basis to make sure it has adequate battery life and is functioning properly, replace the batteries at least once per year, and replace the alarm itself at least once per decade.
2. Think About Your Risk Factors
The two most frequent causes of house fires are cooking and heating implements. Anything with a heating element can cause a fire – makes sense, right? Most people understand that instinctively, but often don’t act accordingly. Don’t leave burners unattended, keep flammable materials away from heat sources of any kind, and if you’re using a space heater, avoid using it on rugs or carpets. Remember: it only has to go wrong once!
3. Consider Additional/Upgraded Solutions for Your Business
Your fire alarm is the cornerstone of your business’s fire prevention plan. Just like your home smoke detectors, it can save lots of lives, but not if it’s offline. Don’t you want to know whether it’s working properly? A cellular monitoring subscription ensures that your fire alarm system is not only functioning optimally, but communicating more frequently with the central monitoring station. Additionally, Clean Agent suppression systems are a must-have for protecting high-value assets.
4. Know How to Use Your Fire Extinguisher
The portable fire extinguisher on the wall does its job very effectively, but most people aren’t trained to be able to use it properly. Whether at your home or your business, make sure at least one person is comfortable using it, and remember the PASS method:
Pull the pin.
Aim low at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the handle slowly.
Sweep the nozzle side to side.
5. Do More Than the Bare Minimum
For most people, fire prevention will never be at the top of the priority list. That’s understandable. Still, checking in on your fire prevention tools and doing a refresh of your fire safety plan more frequently requires a relatively small investment of time, while greatly increasing your preparedness. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
