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For anyone, fire safety and prevention is an important way to feel safe at home. It gives you the tools and education you need in the event of a fire.

Being able to react quickly to any emergency situation means having the right tools in place in your home, like fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, among other things.

For seniors, the same rules need to be applied, with a focus on accessibility. It may be more difficult to indicate when there’s an emergency if you’re an older adult living alone. Here’s some easy tips for fire prevention for seniors.

Keep Fire Exits Accessible

For anyone who may need accessible doors and exits for any reason, it’s important to regularly check that emergency exits are accessible. This means checking that all doors and exits are working.

If someone is unable to walk or uses a mobility device, consider what alternate exits they can take. For example, if there’s a fire blocking the main door, what is the second door that is accessible to someone who uses a mobility device such as a wheelchair? Have a few fire exits in mind and indicate them with stickers or labels if necessary.

The Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General offers these tips for older adults when around the home:

Don’t reach for danger! Wear tight-fitting or rolled-up sleeves when cooking and don’t reach over a hot burner. Always stay in the kitchen when you are cooking.
Always blow out candles before leaving the room.
Ensure items that can burn are one metre away from space heaters.
Avoid overloading the electrical outlets. Extension cords should be used only as a temporary connection.

Install Smoke Alarms & Routinely Check Them

Chances are if you live in any house or building, smoke alarms will already be installed. If that’s the case, routinely check their battery every month to make sure they’re still working.

For someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, installing a visual smoke alarm can provide an alarm to indicate a fire emergency. Simply install it in the applicable rooms and a light will flash to indicate the smoke alarm has gone off.

The National Fire Protection Association explains one device that can work for the deaf and hard of hearing:

Smoke alarms and alert devices, called accessories, are available for people who are deaf. Strobe lights throughout the home are activated by smoke alarms and alert people who are deaf to fire conditions. When people who are deaf are asleep, a high-intensity strobe light along with a pillow shaker or a bed shaker can wake them up and alert them to fire conditions.

Perform Fire Drills

Fire drills aren’t just for school and the workplace. In addition to having the right equipment and tools necessary for fire emergencies, it’s important to educate anyone on what to do in the event of a fire.

For seniors, this means having an escape plan in place and actively going through it. In the event of a fire, figure out where all the exits are. If one exit is blocked, learn what other path to take. Familiarize yourself with how to use a fire extinguisher and how to detect fire in another room.

The Canada Safety Council explains why making an escape plan is so important:

Many seniors still depend on escape routes that were planned when the kids were young. Update these plans with their current capabilities in mind, and practice with them. Make sure there are two ways out of each room. Keep hallways and stairs uncluttered. Instruct seniors to call 911 from a neighbor’s house, and not to go back inside their home. If they cannot leave on their own, they should still dial 911. Place a telephone beside the bed, as well as slippers, house keys, eyeglasses and a flashlight.

If you’re interested in learning more, we offer residential services, or you can contact us using our contact form.

No matter where you are, whether in your home or workplace, there should be safety precautions in place. Part of that is having the right safety training, and another part of safety is the fire protection equipment.

The most notable fire protection and safety equipment that every working building has is a fire extinguisher. If you have one in your home or office, you may have never even used it before.

However, did you know fire extinguishers only last a few years if left unused? What’s more, fire extinguishers need to be recharged regularly as well.

Monthly Maintenance Is What Keeps A Fire Extinguisher Working

To keep your fire extinguisher in working condition, monthly maintenance is key. It’s actually not too difficult to do this and can be learned easily. It’s likely you may have gone through this in workplace fire safety training before.

To maintain a fire extinguisher, consult the fire prevention workbook or fire extinguisher manual that’s available to you. It will involve checking that the extinguisher is up-to-date and has been inspected, and that the nozzle and handle are free of any debris.

Quick Response Fire Supply points out the rules in place for fire extinguishers to be in working condition:

“First and foremost, a fire extinguisher needs to be recharged if it has been used. Whether it was employed to suppress a fire, used in act of vandalism, or accidentally discharged, the extinguishing agent needs to be replaced. And again, NFPA 10 requires a fire extinguisher recharge after any use or if an inspection turns up an issue.”

In the Event of a Fire, Your Tools Need to Work

It’s common sense, but if there’s ever a fire, the tools that you have available to you need to work. Not only your fire extinguisher, but the smoke alarms, emergency lighting and exits, phones or cellphones, all need to be able to work to allow accessible safety and prevention of any bigger disaster happening.

Checking to see if your fire extinguisher works and is recharged is a simple task that can be done on schedule. If you ever find yourself in a situation where there’s a fire, you’ll have a vital tool that can help save lives.

Here’s what the City of Toronto highlights are key factors to getting your fire extinguisher up to top grade:

“Fire extinguishers are not designed for use on large or spreading fires. Even on small fires, they are effective only under the following conditions:

The extinguisher must be rated for the type of fire being extinguished.
The extinguisher must be large enough for the fire at hand.
The extinguisher must be in good working order, fully charged and within easy reach.
The operator must be trained in the proper use of the extinguisher.
The operator must be physically capable of lifting, handling and operating the extinguisher.”

Need Help? Contact Us

While inspections can be performed by yourself or someone in your building, fire recharges need to be done by trained professionals. That’s why we offer fire extinguisher recharge services and can perform them on-site.

Fire extinguishers consist of a lot of air pressure and are dangerous to try to fix or recharge yourself. A fire inspection company has the right training and tools available to us to take care of this equipment without damaging it.

US fire prevention company State Systems Inc says that fire extinguishers need to be recharged even if it’s just sitting in your home or office, or you use it for a few seconds:

“Even if you discharge an extinguisher accidentally for a mere second or two, this decreases the internal pressure enough that you should have it recharged. Topping off the cylinder ensures you have its full extinguishing power if you ever need to use it.”

For more, check out our fire extinguisher recharge services or contact us using our contact form.

If you’re in a high-rise or multi-storey office building, staying safe is a big aspect that goes into office organization. Having a good workplace safety culture that makes employees feel safe at work involves giving everyone the tools to be prepared in an emergency.

As a building manager, planner, or office manager, planning appropriate safety precautions is part of the job. As an employee who may not have been involved in that process, it’s important to still be aware and receive proper education and training on what to do to prevent fires. Here’s some of our tips for fire safety and prevention at work in an office building.

Choose the Right Location for Smoking Zones

Your office may have already designated smoking zones, and it’s crucial you follow these rules. Smoking zones have been especially chosen for the location they’re in, and in some cases, there may not be any in your workplace.

A lot of smoking zones are outside not on building property, as this is technically the safest way to prevent fire incidents. The same rules should be applied for e-cigarettes and vaping as well to ensure the safety of all those at work.

The National Fire Protection Association also highlights this important fact about e-cigarettes and vaping:

“Fires have occurred while e-cigarettes were being used, the battery was being charged, or the device was being transported. Battery failures have led to small explosions. Never leave charging e-cigarettes unattended. E-cigarettes should be used with caution.”

Perform Regular Inspections & Collect Inventory

Whether you’re the office manager or the building manager, performing inspections of safety equipment should be done on a regular basis. Make a schedule and calendar reminder to do these safety inspections so that they’re not missed.

As well, keep a binder or file folder with a checklist of inventory that’s in your building. This will help you keep track of where everything is on each floor, what is accessible and available to everyone in the building, and if the equipment is up to date.

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services says to prepare a checklist before going through your office inspection and ask these questions when performing your fire safety inspection:

Are all sources of ignition identified?
Is all wiring properly installed and of approved construction, without extensions or temporary wiring?
Are ventilation systems implemented and working properly?
Is garbage removed daily or more frequently?
Are aisles and floors free of oil and other flammable spills?
Is there an approved fire safety plan posted?
Is there a spill control procedure posted?

Call In A Fire Safety Inspector

If you need help installing alarms or seeing if your equipment is out of date, a fire safety inspector can help with that. At Fire Alarm, we provide workplace inspections and training for staff.

Sometimes, your work may require you to call in an outside service to inspect your building once a year or more. It can be easy to skip this step, but it’s important in case of any emergency event.

In addition, performing fire drills and getting employees the right training is important to establish workplace safety culture.

Here’s what the Office of the Fire Commissioner in Manitoba outlines that employees must know in regards to fire safety:

KNOW the nearest exit.

KNOW the location of alternate exits from

all work areas.

KNOW the location of the nearest fire

alarm pull station and know how to use it.

KNOW the sound of the fire alarm.

KNOW the location of the fire extinguishers and

know how to use them.

For more, check out our fire extinguisher inspection services or contact us using our contact form.

Being well-prepared for emergency situations is crucial, in both the home and workplace. Having the right tools and fire prevention equipment in place, like fire extinguishers and smoke alarms, is mandatory in all workplaces.

Often, this equipment can fall by the wayside and be neglected. However, in times of need, these emergency safety tools can save lives. It’s important to have this equipment inspected as often as you can. Here’s some tips for how to keep up the inspection process in your workplace.

Perform a Workplace Assessment

One of the best ways to start a regular routine of fire prevention and safety is through workplace assessments. These are a list of materials and steps in your workplace that your office can make yourself or find through your local rules and regulations.

It’s likely that if your workplace already has any safety equipment in place, there’ll be a type of safety code available to you already. If your office hasn’t already, it’s necessary to perform workplace assessments as often as you can.

For example, if your workplace is a restaurant or food service, workplace safety assessments will have to happen every day, week, or month. This is why having a checklist is so important, as you can walk through everything and see if it’s in working order.

The City of Toronto highlights these key features when making sure the appliances in your workplace are in working order:

“Use only CSA approved appliances.

Leave enough space for the circulation of air around heaters and other equipment such as computer terminals and copy machines.

Keep all appliances a safe distance from combustible materials.

Always turn off or unplug appliances at the end of each day.”

Check that Equipment Is Up-to-Date

It’s commonplace to perform regular inspections of your equipment, whether it’s every few days, weeks, or months. With your building manager or safety inspector, decide how often you should be inspecting equipment.

As well, don’t forget to replace your equipment if it’s out of date. Expired equipment is usually ineffective and won’t perform at top quality. For example, a fire extinguisher that hasn’t been used but is more than a few years old actually leaks overtime and won’t work as well in putting out small fires.

To check that equipment is up-to-date, look for the dates on the manufacturer’s labels for a date it was made and how long it can be used for. Keep a binder in the workplace where you can update and list that your fire prevention equipment has been inspected.

Workplace Safety and Prevention Services says to maintain a steady schedule for inspections:

“Establish a regular schedule of fire inspections. These will help detect any deviations from, or shortcomings in, your control standards and emergency procedures. Take corrective action as soon as possible. The information collected during your workplace assessment, and subsequent action taken, will help you to come up with your own

detailed checklist. Review and revise this checklist whenever you have the results of any incident/accident investigations involving fires that you have conducted, and each time you do a re-assessment.”

When In Doubt, Contact the Professionals

If there’s something that seems off, don’t be afraid to reach out for professional help. Their job is to ensure you have all proper, working tools in place to help you in case of emergency situations.

A professional who is trained in fire prevention and safety is very familiar with the equipment that’s needed in your space. They can make sure nothing is out of date and valves are inspected, air vents are clear, and can give you advice on how to make your emergency plan.

Thomas Maloney at Occupational Health & Safety magazine explains why establishing a fire code can foster a workplace culture of prevention:

“If the fire code did not address certain functions, then roads—for example—might have been built more restrictively and access would be limited, potentially jeopardizing the safety of the responders, employees and company property in a fire incident. Thus, the NFPA fire code advances fire and life safety for the private sector, workers and first-responders as well as the general public.”

At Fire Alert, we offer services for equipping your work or home with the right fire prevention equipment. Check out more here or contact us for more info.

Staying safe at home begins with the right planning from you and the members of your household. Being aware is not enough in the event of an emergency, and preventative action is crucial to saving lives.

The more prepared you are in a fire emergency, the more likely you are to evacuate your home safely. Here are some tips on how to prevent fires in your home and stay safe.

Install Smoke Detectors on Every Floor

Smoke detectors are often the first indication of fire and can prevent a fire before it happens. They should be installed on each floor of your home and be tested once a month. The batteries should be replaced once a year to maintain proper working order. Always keep your smoke detectors on, even while cooking.

Act Quickly In the Event of a Fire

The more well-thought out your plan is, the more likely you will act rationally – and be prepared to act fast. This means being able to get out of your house in a minute or less. Don’t wait for the fire to reach you, assist any household members that need it, and don’t run back in to get any essential items. To be prepared to act quickly, run through practice drills to better prepare yourself.

SafeHome.org also says to be as quick as possible if there’s a fire in your home:

“Don’t underestimate the speed of ﬁre! In under 30 seconds, a small ﬂame can become a big ﬁre. It also doesn’t take very long for thick black smoke to ﬁll a house, or for the house to become taken over by ﬂames.”

Install Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers can be vital if you need to fight a small fire and can prevent your household from experiencing a larger fire. Keep your fire extinguisher in the kitchen, garage back hallway or other easily accessible area in your home. They should be checked regularly and maintained to a working standard.

Create an Escape Plan

Create a detailed and organized plan to evacuate the home in the event of a fire. Draw out a map of your home and identify all exits and routes, like hallways, doors, and windows. Make sure everyone in your household is well aware of their escape routes no matter where they are in the home.

If you have younger children, teach them about the dangers of fire. Inform them of the basics: stop, drop and roll; and what to do in the event of a fire. Walk them through the escape plan and any hazards in your home. Keep any flammable chemicals out of the way of children.

Identify Any Hazards in the Home

The most common causes of fire are the appliances in your home and where you store certain flammable products. Cleaning and household products contain hazard label warnings on them and must be strictly followed to prevent any potential accidents.

Appliances like stoves, microwaves, and clothing dryers can all be potential flammable hazards.

The Government of Canada talks about fire safety with electrical appliances:

“Check for counterfeit electrical products that do not meet Canadian electrical safety requirements. Signs of counterfeit products include poor quality, very inexpensive price, grammatical errors and unusual fonts on the product, labelling or packaging. Regularly check and clean appliances with filters and screens such as dishwashers and clothes dryers. In the case of clothes dryers, leftover lint in the screen and piping can ignite in high temperatures, causing fires.”

If you’re interested in learning more fire prevention information and finding the right fire extinguisher for your home, contact Fire-Alert for assistance.

Each workplace is required to have at least one designated fire marshal or fire warden to ensure proper safety plans are in place in the event of a fire. They check equipment regularly and inform their fellow coworkers on the plans in place in the office.

It’s an important responsibility and one that can help employees learn a lot about fire safety and evacuation plans in the workplace. If you’re the fire marshal or fire warden in your workplace, here’s some tips on how to be prepared for your role.

Identify Possible Risks and Report Them

A fire warden’s main responsibility is to manage safe evacuation of everyone in their workplace or designated area during an emergency. Check the building’s emergency exits and make sure they are in proper working order. Reach out to your co-workers and let them know to reach out to you if they need any assistance in the event of an evacuation.

Here are some hazards in the workplace, as explained by Protect & Detect UK:

“[The] key to being a good fire marshal is carrying out regular checks around the company’s premises. These include making sure no items obstruct exits and that all routes out of the building are suitable for people who have disabilities. Any smoking areas should be kept clear, with all receptacles removed on a regular basis.

Check Equipment Regularly

Equipment should be inspected on a monthly basis. This can include smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers to name a few. Your workplace will have a full list of all the equipment available in the building, and if they don’t, contact the building supervisor to make one.

Educate Your Co-Workers

Check with your employer as to how often there are mandatory fire drills and fire safety meetings. You have a responsibility as fire marshal to make sure co-workers know how to stay safe in the workplace, prevent fires, and evacuate in the event of a fire.

Have Your Emergency Plan In Place

Using the fire safety documents outlined in your building’s safety plan, write down the evacuation plans for your office. Once a year (or more depending on your workplace), have a fire safety meeting with your office and go over your evacuation plan. This includes how to spot fires in the building, what hallways and exits to take, and where the work’s meeting place will be outside.

The University of Toronto Mississauga goes through key steps during an evacuation:

“Advise all persons within your assigned area to evacuate via the nearest safe exit during a fire or other emergency. Assist in the evacuation of persons with disabilities. Once your assigned area is clear, ensure that the entrance into the building is not congested. Direct people away from the entrance of the buildings.”

Get the Proper Training

Read and continually review the Fire Safety Plan in your workplace and building. This will ensure you know the proper drills and steps to take in the event of a fire and other emergency.

It’s also important that you get the proper certifications and training if it’s required at your work. We offer fire safety course training for workplaces designated fire marshals and all employees. We offer half-day safety course training programs and cover how to use and handle fire extinguishers, the fundamentals of fire prevention and emergency response in the workplace.

For more, check out our services here or contact us using our contact form.

Emergency safety procedures can seem overwhelming, but when it comes to an emergency, you can never be too prepared. If you follow the correct fire prevention steps, you can dramatically reduce the chance of a fire in your home. But it is still important to have a fire escape plan in your home.

In an emergency, it can be vital preparedness to get everyone out in a safe and quick manner. Let’s break down the steps to take to prepare a fire escape plan for your household.

Make an Escape Plan Map and Prepare Each Household Member

Draw a map of your home showing all possible exits, including doors and windows. Label them on your map and make sure it’s easy to read. Then, gather your family or members of your household and discuss your fire safety plan. In the event of a fire or emergency, figure out where you will exit. Practice your home fire escape drill to prepare everyone as well.

The National Fire Protection Association says you must check every area in your home:

“Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors.”

Escape Plans Should Be Quick and Easy to Read

When you have your map drawn out, identify possible places to install any safety equipment, like smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.

If you have children, break it down into easy steps, like where they will go and what to do if they hear the fire alarm and identify a possible fire. For the entire household, decide on a meeting place that is a safe distance from your home. You can indicate this on your map.

According to a survey by the National Fire Protection Association:

One-third of American households who made an estimate thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. The time available is often less. And only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out!

Have the Right Emergency Tools Readily Available

We explain why it’s crucial to have the right supplies available to you:

It is vital that you fight a fire with the right kind of fire extinguisher. Attempting to put out a fire with the wrong type of extinguisher can quickly make a fire more dangerous. To maximize home safety, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends a fire extinguisher on every level of your home, including in garages, kitchens, basements and near exits.

It’s a daunting task, but breaking down your household’s emergency plan into easy steps and preparing yourself with the right tools can help save lives.

If you’re interested in learning more fire prevention information and finding the right fire extinguisher for your home, contact Fire-Alert for assistance.

Preventing fires starts with having the right equipment in your workplace. Something that is often overlooked but is a mandatory task is keeping regular maintenance of the fire extinguishers in your workplace. People often check fire alarms but extinguishers can go unnoticed. There are simple steps that can be done at least once a year (if unused) to make sure your fire extinguisher is in good working condition.

Check Your Employer’s Fire Safety Guidelines

As an employer, you must follow a detailed and particular list of criteria. This is to make sure your workplace is properly ready for any fire emergency. Each jurisdiction has a specific Fire Code, and extinguishers must be installed accordingly.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety provides a useful tip on maintaining a fire extinguisher:

“Keep written records showing maintenance items such as serial number and type of extinguishers, location, inspection date, description of tests, date of next inspection, date of annual servicing, comments and inspector’s signature.”

Make Sure Extinguishers Are Visible and Not Moved Around

Fire extinguishers should be kept somewhere that is visible to employees and easy to access. It’s important to keep it at an appropriate height requirement so that it is accessible to anyone who needs to use it in an emergency.

If an extinguisher, or any safety tool, is moved in the workplace, staff must be notified. If you see an extinguisher that is in a new location, or if you don’t see it in its usual position, notify your supervisor.

Windsor Fire & Rescue Services list where to best keep a fire extinguisher:

“Keep extinguishers in a visible location, high on a wall out of the reach of children, near an exit and away from heat sources. If exposed to heat, the fire extinguisher’s contents may become less effective or cause the extinguisher to lose its charge more quickly. The best location in most situations is just inside a door or entrance, out of the reach of children.”

Inspect Portable Fire Extinguishers Monthly

Fire extinguisher inspections should be performed monthly and perform a full inspection at least once a year. Inspect the hoses and nozzles to ensure they are in good condition. If you see any signs of rot, it may be time to replace your fire extinguisher.

Make sure to also inspect the locking pins and tamper seals to see if they are still in place. Check the pressure gauge to see if the needle is in the green zone. If the needle is not in the green zone, your fire extinguisher requires maintenance and you will need to replace it.

We highlight the safety of fire extinguisher maintenance:

“Functional fire extinguishers are required throughout the premises. It is the most important tool against fire; however, if it is not kept in good working condition it will not be useful in times of need.”

Fire extinguishers can be a vital tool to save lives and property damage from fire. Make sure you or someone in your workplace is properly trained and know your work’s fire safety plan.

If you’re unsure of how to perform monthly inspections or require certification, we offer inspection services for all your fire safety needs.

Having a set fire safety plan when you live in a house is fairly straightforward, once you’ve established a plan of action with your few other occupants. But what about when you live in an apartment building? Fire safety becomes slightly more complicated when there are dozens of others trying to exit the building through the same means, when you’re uninformed about the building’s fire safety plans. We’re going to take you through our fire safety and prevention tips when living in an apartment building, so you have a better idea on what you need to know for your own safety.

Unfortunately, many landlords and/or building owners will not take their tenants through the building’s fire evacuation plan (regardless of the fact that they’re supposed to). This is likely due to the fact that no one ever thinks there’s going to be a fire emergency – which is exactly how fire emergencies tend to occur and escalate.

The National Fire Prevention Association tells us why it’s crucial to first know your building’s fire evacuation plan:

“Make sure that you’re familiar with your building’s evacuation plan, which should illustrate what residents are supposed to do in the event of an emergency. The evacuation plan should be posted in places where all residents can see and review it, and the building management should hold a fire drill with occupants at least once a year. Most states also require that buildings periodically test their fire safety systems as well. Be sure to participate when your building drills take place. When looking for an apartment or high-rise home, look for one with an automatic sprinkler system. Sprinklers can extinguish a home fire in less time that it takes for the fire department to arrive.”

Although your smoke alarms should be tested and batteries replaced before you move in, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Make sure you check your smoke alarms yourself when you move in, to make sure that you’re protected in the case of a fire emergency.

Lasalle.ca expands on why it’s important to be aware of the status of your smoke alarms:

It’s not uncommon to be unaware fire exits unless they’re pointed out to you specifically, or to accidentally block part of your fire escape route. This is why it’s important to be aware of your exits and make sure they’re actually accessible in the case of an emergency.

Calgary.ca stresses the importance of having accessible fire exits in an apartment building:

“Never lock fire exits or block doorways, halls, or stairways. Fire doors not only provide a way out during a fire, they also slow the spread of fire and smoke. Never prop fire doors open.”

It’s important to have your fire protection equipment periodically inspected by a professional. Check out how we can help with fire extinguisher inspections, recharges and many other mobile services, designed to keep you safe.

Employees being properly trained on fire safety not only applies to protection once a fire occurs, but is important to prevent accidents from ever occurring. Unfortunately, many office employees are not properly trained when it comes to fire safety, leaving the workplace and everyone in it open to danger. We take you through our fire safety tips for prevention and protection in the workplace, as an important reminder for the next time you’re in the office.

All workplaces should train their employees in an emergency action plan, illustrating what to do in a variety of fire related emergencies. This may include how to respond in the case of a fire, emergency exit locations and rescue and medical procedures. While it’s the employer’s responsibility to ensure that they train their employees in this emergency action plan, the employee must make sure they understand and participate in it.

Occupational Health & Safety Online tells us why it’s important to make sure your employees have been properly trained on safety procedures:

Bringing food to cook in the office is a great way to make sure you’re not spending unnecessary money while at work. Unfortunately, cooking in the office does have its downsides, with cooking related office fires being more common than you would think.

KnowledgeCity.com explains why safety around cooking equipment shouldn’t be forgotten in the workplace:

“Cooking equipment is responsible for nearly a third of all office fires. While it might be tempting to pop into a meeting while your lunch is heating up, you should stay put while your food is cooking. Even leaving microwave popcorn unattended is a no-no—the heat build-up can lead to fire in just a few minutes. Keep all cooking appliances, such as coffee makers and electric kettles, in kitchen spaces only, and off of desks. Unplug them when you’re not using them. And be sure to keep them away from walls and other flammable objects, like stacks of napkins.”

According to an Australian study, less than 50% of workplace building occupants feel confident in how to operate a fire extinguisher, while 3 in 4 Americans have never used a fire extinguisher at all. Regardless on your location, knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is incredibly important in an emergency – and so is knowing when to leave one alone and wait for the fire department.

Toronto.ca explains why you should know how to use a fire extinguisher, as well as knowing when to leave it alone:

“Most workplaces contain portable fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers can only put out small, contained fires, such as a fire in a wastebasket. The extinguisher in your workplace may or may not be suitable for dealing with grease or electrical fires. If you have not been trained in the proper use of portable extinguishers, do not attempt to fight a fire.

Even with proper fire extinguisher training never fight a fire:

if the fire is large or spreading.
if your escape route may be blocked by the spread of fire.
if you are not trained in the correct use of the type of extinguisher or are unsure of the type of fire.”

In order to prevent a fire safety incident from occurring, it’s important to make sure you have the proper equipment and that it’s in working order. We can help with fire extinguisher inspections, recharges, and many other mobile services to keep you and your business safe.

Fire Prevention Tips & Education For Seniors