Fire Safety - October Safety Corner

Did you know October is Fire Safety month?

In the United States alone, fire departments responded to an estimated 1,318,500 fires in 2018. These fires resulted in 3,655 civilian fire fatalities; 15,200 civilian fire injuries; and an estimated $25.6 billion in direct property loss (this figure includes $12.4 billion in losses from major California wildfires).

On average, there was a civilian fire death every 2 hours and 24 minutes and a civilian fire injury every 35 minutes in 2018. Home fires caused 2,720, (74%), of the civilian fire deaths. Fires accounted for 4% of the 36,746,500 total calls.

Why should you know how to use a fire extinguisher?

When it comes to commercial fire safety, portable fire extinguishers are necessities. A fire can start at any time and knowing what to do at the early stages of a fire could be the difference between life and death. With the right portable fire extinguishers and proper training lessons, employees can be well prepared to take on small fires.

What are the best fire extinguishers to purchase for commercial buildings? It all depends on the materials stored and used at the business. There are three types of portable fire extinguishers:

A type fire extinguisher for putting out fire fuels of wood, cloth, paper, rubber and plastics.

B type fire extinguisher for taking on fires ignited by flammable liquids: gasoline, kerosene, oil paint, or kitchen grease.

C type fire extinguisher to take on electrical fires.