According to experts, fire safety is considered to be dependent on how individuals are able to take precautionary measure when it comes to fire safety, how organizations are able to provide fire safety materials, the vulnerability of the people exposed to the fire, the fire properties of products, the technical fire safety in the building, the fire service’s ability to respond to a fire outbreak. The great danger with fires in public buildings is if fire gases spread to corridors, stairwells and other open spaces, this makes evacuation more difficult and allows the fire to spread to other parts of the building. The rapid rate at which fires develop means that people often fail to realize how quickly they must respond to a fire
In 2014 alone, the Nation Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported nearly 1.3 millions fires in the United States. Those fires led to 3,275 deaths, 15,775 injuries, and $11.6 billion in property damage. In mere seconds, a fire in the home can turn deadly, so it’s important to prevent them from happening before they ever start by knowing your home’s fire hazards.
Common fire-related hazards
- Electricity: Neglect or misuse of wiring can lead to short circuits
- Rubbish and waste material: Fire is likely to spread through accumulated waste
- Smoking: Carelessly discarded cigarette butts or lit matches are one of the major causes of fire
- Cooking: kitchens provide opportunities for a fire to start and materials on which it can feed
- Heating appliances: portable heaters are a threat when placed beside combustible furniture or fittings
- combustible materials including – flammable liquids, glues and solvents are all liable to combust unless stored and used properly
How to prevent fire hazard at home or companies
Don’t cut corner with cords
Avoid overloading extension cords and electrical sockets. Use three-prong cords with three-prong outlets, and don’t back up too many extension cords end-to-end
cook with care
Never leave a lit
stove and oven unattended. If walking away from the kitchen for even a short
time, turn off burners to avoid a fire catching and spreading before you can
respond.
Start a safer fire
When using an in-home fireplace, make sure a strong screen or door is in place to prevent sparks from flying out and hot logs from rolling into the home. Never leave a fire unattended, and wait until it is completely extinguished before heading to bed.
Store flammable products properly
Keep flammable products away from heat, including exposure to sunlight. It is advisable to designate a cool dark place for flammable products.
Use the fireplace responsibly
install a durable metal fire in front of your Use the fireplace responsibly installs a durable metal fire screen in front of your fireplace, don’t leave a fire unattended to and give ashes ample time to cool down before disposing them.
Keep fire extinguishers handy.
Fire extinguisher stocked in key areas of your home is the next best thing. At the very least, keep one in the kitchen and others near high-risk areas like a fireplace. Remember to put the fire extinguisher far enough away from the potential fire source that you’ll be able to grab it safely without getting too close to the stove or fireplace.