National Fire Prevention Week, an annual event supported by the National Safety Council (NSC), is celebrated every October to help educate people about fire safety and prevention. It was established more than a century ago to honor and remember those who died in the Great Chicago Fire in October 1871. Beyond the history, Fire Prevention Week drives home the message of home fire prevention, workplace safety, electrical safety, and community engagement.
To help keep you and your family safe, the Quad Cities burn injury lawyers at Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham offer essential home and workplace fire prevention and safety tips.
Household Fire Prevention and Safety Tips
Our homes are more than just a place to store our personal belongings. They offer shelter, provide a safe gathering space, and serve as a personal refuge. As such, you should help protect your home from fire hazards. Here are a few tips to prevent your home from going up in flames, with or without you residing there.
It will also help prevent you from being held liable for a premises accident in Illinois or Iowa if someone suffers a fire-related injury while on your property.
Fire-Safe Cooking and Kitchen Tips
Cooking-related fires are the leading cause of home fires and burn injuries, often the most catastrophic. To prevent this, cooking food should never be left unattended, keep flammable objects away from any heat source, and clean your stovetops and ovens regularly to avoid grease buildup.
Also, keep your pets away from areas where you are cooking. Use safety gates or keep pets in another room while cooking. A cat or dog jumping onto counters or stovetops can inadvertently knock over pots or turn on knobs.
Electric Vehicle Safe Charging at Home
With electric vehicles becoming more common, safe charging practices are crucial. NFPA recommends these eight tips when charging an electric car at home to help prevent fires:
- Before charging an electric vehicle at home, have a qualified electrician check your electrical system to see if it can handle charging.
- Install charging equipment in safe locations. Keep away from busy areas and things that could catch fire.
- Use devices that a qualified testing laboratory lists.
- Read and follow all manufacturer directions.
- Check chargers and cords for damage before using. Never use it if damaged.
- Use only one plug or extension cord with the charger.
- Keep charging items out of reach of children and animals when not in use.
- Cover the charging station outlet to keep water out.
Don’t Overload Outlets and Power Strips
Overloaded electrical outlets frequently cause fires. Avoid plugging multiple high-voltage items/appliances into one outlet. You should also only work power strips within their rated capacity. Taking the proper safety precautions can help prevent electrocution injuries and other painful damages.
Avoid the Dangers of Open Flames and Wood Stoves
Households with small children and pets need to be extra cautious around open-flame candles, fireplaces, and wood stoves. Children can easily knock over candles. Fireplaces without screens can throw sparks and provide easy access to hot flames and ashes. Touching wood stoves can cause burnt skin and catch other materials on fire when nearby.
Keep Your Family Safe with a Fire Escape Plan
Now that you know common causes for fire risks, it’s time to address what to do if a fire does start in your home despite your best preventative efforts. Families need to have a fire escape plan. They should also routinely run through these plans, with pets if applicable, so they are familiar with evacuation procedures. Doing so can help ensure that all family members know:
- The fastest way out of your home
- Where to meet once outside
- How to exit out of a variety of windows/doors on a variety of home levels
- Who’s responsible for securing a pet in case of an evacuation
Moreover, placing a pet alert sticker in a prominent window can help first responders know the number and types of animals inside your home. Doing so can also help prevent a potential dog bite injury from a scared animal during an emergency.
The state of Illinois also provides more specific tips on what you should do if you have to evacuate your home because of a fire.
Fire Prevention Week Tips for the Workplace
Employers must provide and maintain safe working environments for their employees. At the minimum, employers should conduct periodic fire safety training, fire drills, and checks of equipment and flammable liquids and gasses. Employers who fail to take fire prevention safety measures can be held liable for a workers’ compensation claim should an employee get injured during a workplace accident.
Avoid Overloaded Circuits and Power Strips
Overloaded electrical circuits are also a significant cause of fires at work. Avoid too many computers, printers, or other office equipment plugged into one outlet or using power strips beyond their rated capacity.
As mentioned, use equipment as the manufacturer recommends and avoid using damaged cords or faulty equipment. Further, hire a licensed professional to replace and repair anything that needs fixing. Doing so can help prevent an electric shock injury while at work.
Establish a Business Emergency Evacuation Plan
A business emergency evacuation plan is also an important safety strategy for employees, clients, and visitors.
Key components found in most of these workplace safety plans include:
- Identified exit routes
- Assembly points-congregation areas
- Consideration for people with disabilities
- Regular drills and training.
Fire Protection Safety Measures for Home and Work
Fire protection measures can help protect life and property in residential and workplace environments. Without these measures, a rapidly spreading fire can cause widespread damage or even loss of life.
With that in mind, our personal injury team believes that you should also be aware of the safety measures for home and the workplace.
Fire Extinguisher and Suppression Systems for Home and Work
Different fire extinguishers handle different types of fires: Class A for ordinary combustibles, Class B for flammable liquids, and Class C for electrical fires.
Fire extinguishers should be placed throughout your home and workplace and checked annually. Individuals should also be trained to use them safely.
Additionally, workplaces are supposed to install fire suppression systems like sprinklers that can quickly bring a fire under control. These systems are especially essential for high-hazard workplaces that deal with manufacturing or storage.
Smoke Alarm Maintenance
Smoke alarms are essential to alert people of an imminent danger of fire. Set up smoke alarms on every level, especially around sleeping areas at home and populated areas at work. For efficiency, change the batteries in a smoke alarm yearly and replace the device every ten years.
Fire Doors and Escape Routes
Fire doors are designed to withstand heat and prevent the spread of flames and smoke in homes and public buildings. They should never be propped open and should remain clear of obstructions at all times.
In a residential building, these doors usually lead out to your garage and possibly a front or back door. At work, these doors have markings to allow easy identity.
Escape routes, including those with stairs and established emergency exits, must also be kept free of clutter to ensure residents and employees can evacuate quickly in case of fire at home or work.
How to Sustain Safety Awareness Beyond Fire Prevention Week
Fire Prevention Week brings much-needed awareness to the need to practice fire safety all year. You can take proactive steps at home, work, or public spaces to reduce risk and preserve life. Long-term success with a culture of fire prevention and preparedness will involve continuous education and periodic maintenance of devices and equipment to ensure they remain safe.
However, if you suffer burns in a fire caused by another party’s actions or inactions, contact us for immediate assistance.
You can reach Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham by phone at (309) 794-1515 and online through LiveChat or FREE online form. Our accomplished personal injury attorneys have successfully served injury victims throughout Iowa and Illinois, including Davenport, IA, Bettendorf, IA, LeClaire, IA, Moline, IL, East Moline, IL, and the surrounding cities. Contact us today to get the legal representation and service you deserve.