Fire won't wait. Plan your escape during National Fire Prevention Week October 9-15th

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Fire won't wait. Plan your escape during National Fire Prevention Week October 9-15th

DuraLabel Staff

Updated on: December 25, 2024 1 MINUTE READ Published on: Dec 25, 2024

In 2021, local fire departments responded to 1,353,500 fires in the US. That averages out to one every 23 seconds. These fires caused 3,800 civilian (non-firefighter) fire deaths and 14,700 reported civilian fire injuries.

It is vital to have, and follow, a response plan during an emergency such as a fire.

OSHA requires employers to develop an emergency evacuation plan, post clear signage throughout the facility and to train their employees to respond accordingly.

Red and white exit sign in hallway

Develop a workplace fire prevention and evacuation plan. Use these ten steps to get you started.

Get Organized ? Clutter contributes to fires by providing fuel and by preventing access to exits and emergency equipment.
Maintain Fire Safety Systems ? Deploy the appropriate type and number of fire extinguishers and learn how to safely use one. Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment, or emergency exits. Test sprinkler systems and smoke detectors at least annually.
Report all electrical hazards. ? Many fires start in faulty wiring and malfunctioning electrical equipment.
Keep Control Panels Clear ? Electrical control panels need to have free access maintained so the electricity can be easily turned off.
Maintenance ? Maintain machinery to prevent overheating and friction sparks.
Chemical Safety ?Read the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet to determine flammability and other fire hazards. Provide adequate ventilation when using and storing these substances.
Waste Control & Storage ? Control the accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials and residues so that they do not contribute to a fire emergency.
Prevent Ignition ?Use non-sparking tools, and control static electricity in potentially explosive atmospheres such as those containing flammable liquid vapors or fine particles.
Know Your Exits - Deploy emergency exit diagrams and mark emergency exits with neon-regulation signs.
Contact Info - Post a list of emergency contact phone numbers in case of emergency. Include basics such as the company address, phone number and floor plan for easy reference during an emergency.

Fire alarm next to a fire evacuation sign

During an emergency, seconds saved can save lives. Ensure your fire evacuation plan is ready to protect your workforce with workplace emergency management articles, videos, infographics and more here.

Need help creating a system that provides the safety communication you need? Call us at 1-888-326-9244 and get expert insight on your emergency signage and floor marking needs.