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Ensure Fire Safety: Save Lives Save Property
Earlier this month was Fire Prevention Week (October 4-10, 2015). Fire prevention is very serious and should be recognized year round to protect your business. Fires can destroy not only buildings and property, but also people's livelihoods, sense of security and succession plans.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. municipal fire departments responded to an estimated 1,240,000 fires in 2013, which resulted in more than $11.5 billion in financial loss, injured more than 16,000 people, and killed more than 3,000. An in-depth study of Federated Insurance's clients' fire-related losses shows the leading causes to be:
- Spontaneous combustion of improperly stored, oil-soaked rags and other combustible materials
- Over-loaded electrical circuits and improper use of electrical cords and surge protection
- Careless smoking
- Improper storage of flammable liquids
(Source: Federated Insurance)
Each of these fire risks can be avoided by following proper prevention steps.
- Keep your work area free of waste paper, trash and other items that can easily catch fire.
- Check on your electrical cords. If a cord is damaged in any way, replace it.
- Don't overload your circuits.
- Turn off electrical appliances and equipment at the end of each day.
- Keep heat producing equipment away from anything that might burn. This includes copiers, coffee makers, computers, etc.
- Have an effective system to alert you of a fire.
(Source: alarm.org) |
