Fire Prevention Week
This week, October 6--12, is National Fire Prevention Week, sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association.
This year focuses on preventing kitchen fires. The biggest hazard that comes to mind is a grease fire. Contrary to what many believe, it is a terrible idea to throw water onto a great fire. In fact, this makes the situation worse. Instead of putting out a flame, the water reacts with the oil and can cause an explosion. The way to put out a grease fire is by throwing baking soda on top of it and putting a lid onto the pot. This way, there is not oxygen to further provoke the fire and it is squelched with the compound in the baking soda.
Some statistics from NFPA:
- In the U.S. in 2011: 370,000 responses to home structure fires; 13,910 injuries, 2,520 deaths and $ 6.9 billion in damages
- Nearly half (44%) of the microwave oven injuries seen at emergency rooms in 2011 were scald burns.
- In most years, heating is the second leading cause of home fires, fire deaths, and fire injuries. Fixed or portable space heaters are involved in about 4 out of 5 heating fire deaths.
- Electrical failure or malfunctions caused an average of almost 50,000 home fires per year, resulting in roughly 450 deaths and $1.5 billion in direct property damage.
- On average, there are 32 home candle fires reported per day.
- According to an NFPA survey, only one-third of Americans have both developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
- Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.
GreenEDU also offers training for taking care of facilities after a fire with our Cleaning and Restoration classes. Our training programs prepare industry specialists in the use of technologies and procedures geared to help restore customer items to their pre-loss condition.
Take a moment to review the fire prevention resources. Using these tools can help prevent a future disaster.
