24/7 Emergency Service
Residential Fire Prevention
9/25/2019 (Permalink)
PREVENT FIRE IN YOUR HOME
The causes of these fires range from food left unattended on the stove to candles left burning. From the moment a fire starts to the point where the structure is fully engulfed is usually less than two minutes, which is why it is so important for occupants to get out of the home as quickly as possible and not try to put out a large fire themselves.
Cooking
· U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 162,400 cooking-related fires between 2009-2013 resulting in 430 civilian deaths, 5,400 civilian injuries and 1.1 billion in direct damage.
· Two of every five home fires started in the kitchen.
· Unattended cooking was a factor in one-third of reported home cooking fires.
· Two-thirds of home cooking fires started with ignition of food or other cooking materials.
· Ranges accounted for three of every five (61%) home cooking fire incidents. Ovens accounted for 13%.
· Children under five face a higher risk of non-fire burns associated with cooking and hot food and drinks than of being hurt in a cooking fire.
· Children under five accounted for 30% of the 4,300 microwave oven scald burns seen in hospital emergency rooms during 2014.
· Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1% of home cooking fires, but these incidents accounted for 18% of the cooking fire deaths.
· More than half of people injured in home fires involving cooking equipment were hurt while attempting to fight the fire themselves.
· Frying is the leading activity associated with cooking fires.
To protect yourself, it is important to understand the basic characteristics of fire. Fire spreads quickly; there is no time to gather valuables or make a phone call. In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames.
Heat and smoke from fire can be more dangerous than the flames. Inhaling the super-hot air can sear your lungs. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Instead of being awakened by a fire, you may fall into a deeper sleep. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio.
Fire Safety Tips
- Do not use electrical equipment that is in poor condition or that has a damaged cord.
- Do not overload circuits or extension cords, read producers specifications.
- Use approved power bars instead of circuit splitters.
- Keep all heat-producing appliances away from the wall and away from anything that might burn.
- Leave plenty of space for air to circulate around equipment that normally gives off heat.
- Ensure small appliances such as heaters, fans etc. are shut off before exiting the building.
- Make sure all appliances, such as coffee makers and hot plates, are turned off when not in use.
- Toasters and microwave ovens should be located in kitchen areas only.
- Avoid deep fat frying, or use a thermostat controlled appliance and never leave it unattended.
- Keep all combustible materials, such as paper towels and cloths, at a safe distance from heat sources.
- Keep storage areas, stairway landings and other out-of-way locations free of waste paper, empty cartons, dirty rags and other material that could fuel a fire.
- Ensure office doors and ancillary office doors, for example, file room and hallway doors, are closed when exiting the building.
- Ensure heat registers are clear of combustible items such as paper at all times.
The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Advantage
As many as 50% of businesses close down following a disaster, according to the latest research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. And knowing you are "Ready for whatever happens" speaks trust to your clients and employees that in the event your business is affected by a disaster, they don’t necessarily have to be.
By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.
· A no cost assessment of your facility.
This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.
· A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. But it will save a lot of time if ever needed.
· A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.
This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.
· Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.
· Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.
· Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information.
Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are "Ready for whatever happens."