Fire Safety Tips for the Home and Workplace
If a fire were to break out at home or in your place of work, how would you react? According to Ready.gov, a fire can become life-threatening in a mere two minutes. Fast forward to the five-minute mark and an entire residence can be enveloped in flames. Fire is “fast,” “hot,” “dark” and “deadly.” Having a fire escape plan in place could save your life. In today’s post, a Charleston lawyer highlights the importance of fire safety at home and in the workplace.
Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored Fire Prevention Week, which is October 4-10 this year. According to NFPA, “During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.”
U.S. Fire Statistics
According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), there were 1,318,500 fires in 2018 resulting in 3,655 deaths and 15,200 injuries. Of the more than 1.3 million fires, 30% took place on residential property, 9% were nonresidential, 14.8% were vehicle, 40.6% occurred outside and 5.5% fell in the other category.
**Home Fire Safety Basics
**American Red Cross has a host of free resources available on home fire safety. They emphasize having working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan. Tips at the top of their list include:
- Installing fire alarms on “every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.”
- Testing smoke alarms monthly (changing batteries as needed).
- Discussing your fire escape plan with all family members and practicing the plan twice a year.
- In the event of a home fire, “GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.”
Home Fire Prevention
Ready.gov outlines several key areas where tragedies can be prevented:
- Cooking
- Smoking
- Electrical and appliances
- Space heaters
- Fireplaces and woodstoves
- Educating children on fire safety
In the Workplace
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2016, there were 88 occupational fatalities as a result of workplace fires or explosions. They recommend discussing fire safety with your management team at work. The conversation should cover the emergency action plan and the role supervisors will play as well as walking the evacuation routes as a team. Routine fire drills help drive home “memory created through practice,” which is critical during a crisis.
We’re Here to Help
In need of a Charleston lawyer? Contact our personal injury firm if you or a loved one has been the victim of a personal injury from a fire due to unsafe premises in South Carolina. We offer a free consultation and 24-hour answering service. We have five convenient locations, with three South Carolina locations being fully staffed with full-time attorneys and experienced support staff, or we can meet you at your home or hospital, with evening and weekend appointments available. Call John Price Law Firm, LLC at (843) 552-6011.
Additional Resources:
https://www.ready.gov/home-fires
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Staying-safe/Preparedness/Fire-Prevention-Week/About
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire.html
https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/cfch0015.pdf