Fire Prevention Week
This week, October 6--12, is National Fire Prevention Week, sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association.
The NFPA created this observance to remember and learn from The Great Chicago Fire of 1871. During this disaster, 250 people lost their lives and 100,000 were homeless. By teaching Americans about how fire safety, we are able to prevent such a loss from occurring.
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.
