Why is fire safety so important for property owners and building managers? In modern society, fire hazards are a constant threat to the safety of your properties and the people living and working within them. One of the most effective tools to fight fires is the ever reliable fire extinguisher. The majority of businesses and residences are required to have them, but many owners fail to have these life-saving tools on hand.
Many look at fire extinguishers as decorations that take up valuable space despite them being essential equipment for every home and business owner. Annual inspections are a must, especially since a commercial fire averages $35,000 in damage claims according to the Insurance Journal. Extinguishes save billions of dollars each year and some estimates report a high of up to $5 billion per year!
Let’s take a look at some important statistics on the loss of property due to fire:
Fire Safety Statistics
- In 2016, there were 1,342,000 fires reported in the United States. (NFPA)
- On average, U.S. fire departments responded to a fire every 23 seconds. Specifically, they attended to a structure fire every 63 seconds and to a home fire every 86 seconds
- 30.4% of all reported fires in 2015 started in residential buildings.
- 50.8% of residential fires are started by cooking accidents.
- In 2017, 36 home fire fatalities in Arizona were reported by the news media. (FEMA)
If these statistics concern you, remember that you can prevent a fire from devastating your property with the right equipment. Fire extinguishers can put out 80% of fires caused!
What You Should Know Before Using A Fire Extinguisher
Experts believe you should only extinguish a fire when all residents and staff have been evacuated from the area and after the fire department has been notified.
Remember that lives always cost more than property, so prioritize safety before personal items.
Smoke is very dangerous and it can render you unconscious if you don’t escape a room in time.
Research on the many types of fire extinguishers is a must. Different fire extinguishers are designed to put out different fires. A water-based fire extinguisher should never be used to put out electrical fires!
It is essential for all building owners and property managers to carry out an annual fire safety inspection. This is to make sure that extinguishers are in the right place, clear from any obstruction, have the right air pressure, and that no seals have been tampered with or require replacing.
So awesome! I need fire extinguishers for my farm business.