Carillon Beach Fire Safety Tips

9/9/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke Alarms are Essential in Staying Fire Safe! Check and Change Batteries Out Monthly, and Replace Faulty Devices as Needed.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the top five causes of structure fires are cooking, heating, electrical, smoking, and candle usage.  As most of these are common occurrences and activities, it is important to utilize fire safety equipment and strategies effectively to reduce the risk of a fire in your home or business, as well as keep yourself, loved ones, and coworkers safe.  Fire safety suggestions from leading industry authorities include:

• Install and Use Smoke Alarms – Be sure to check the batteries at least once a month in every smoke alarm. Depending on the size of the structure, multiple alarms may be necessary, and should be placed strategically to cover all areas.
• Have a Fire Extinguisher Available – Different fire extinguishers are made for different materials. Depending on the type of structure (residence, office building, restaurant, etc.) and contents, a different type of fire extinguisher may be necessary.  Visit the US Fire Administration website for more information on fire extinguisher selection.
• Make an Evacuation Plan – In the event of a fire at your home or business, it is imperative to have an evacuation plan already in place. Be sure to share this plan with all involved parties, and practice evaluation with children.  Have a designated meeting area outside of the structure for everyone to gather if evacuation occurs.
• Check Wiring and Electrical Equipment Regularly – Flickering lights, a scorched smell, or frequently blow breakers may all be signs of a wiring issue in your home or business. Contact an electrical professional to address these types of issues.  Along with structural wiring, you should regularly check appliances and electrical equipment for breaks or frays in cords, which provide a fire hazard.
• Keep Items Away from Open Flames – If burning candles, smoking, or cooking in the home, be sure to keep flammable items, such as draperies, towels, clothing, and cleaning chemicals away from hot surfaces and flames. Fire can spread rapidly once these kinds of items are ignited, making containment and suppression much more difficult.

In the unfortunate event that a fire causes damages to your home or business, know that SERVPRO of Bay County is Here to Help.  Serving Panama City Beach, Carillon Beach, and surrounding areas, our professional team responds quickly to your disaster to begin the remediation process.  For more information about our services, give us a call at 850-785-1077.