A Look Back at Fire Safety

Nov 13, 2023 | Blog

October is designated as National Fire Prevention Month. From changing the batteries in fire and smoke detectors to updating family escape plans, it’s a great reminder to ensure individuals and families are as protected as possible from devastating fire emergencies.

So, what did you do last month to ensure you and your loved ones are safe from fire?

Beyond changing batteries, following are some workplace and household fire prevention and safety issues to review.

Proper use of extension cords

Improper use of extension cords may be the biggest silent fire threat for many households. Here are some basic safety tips:

Never plug an extension cord into another extension cord
Never alter the plug by removing the ground pin
Immediately stop using a cord that gets warm to the touch
Only use properly-rated cords for your intended purpose (indoor, outdoor, etc…)
Never staple or nail a cord into place
Only plug an extension cord in to a GFCI outlet (you know, the test/reset ones)

Faulty wiring

If a circuit breaker is tripped, do not simply reset it and then try plugging things in again. Have a licensed electrician determine what the wiring issue is. If you see sparks or blackness at an outlet, immediately stop using it and have it repaired by an electrician. If you can smell or see smoke or a wall is warm to the touch, call 9-1-1 immediately. Electrical fires can smolder inside walls before flames or smoke are evident.

Placement and type of detectors

Commonly referred to as “smoke detectors,” there are actually different technologies at work in different models. Newer ones use both photoelectric and ionization means of detecting smoke and fire. Some also have built-in carbon monoxide detection if you don’t have separate CO detectors in place. You can also find units with sealed 10-year lithium batteries, so you can simply test each unit for the next decade of Octobers instead of pulling them down to replace batteries.

Every floor of your home, every bedroom, the kitchen, and the garage should have a detector in place. Some of the new bougie types even have voice technology that will alert the entire home through the detector speakers as to the location of which detector was tripped.

Be sure to check the packaging for instructions on where on the wall or ceiling to place the detector. Often, the units need to be within 10″ of the ceiling and a specified distance from certain appliances.

Fire extinguishers

Depending on the size of your home, you may need multiple extinguishers for adequate placement. Kitchens, wood-burning fireplaces or stoves, garages or workshops, and each floor of the home should have an extinguisher within easy access. Some home extinguishers are rated for different types of fire sources. Make sure the type of unit you purchase is correct for the area you’re supplying it for.

Having extinguishers available isn’t enough. They must be easy to access and each person should know how to operate one without having to review instructions. Make your annual October fire prevention plan include reviewing proper fire extinguisher use by every capable person in the household.

Sometimes the best intentions don’t go to plan. For kitchen grease fires, a fire extinguisher may not be the best way to attempt to manage it. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher rated for grease/oil fires, then try an alternate method. Grease fires can be smothered by a lid or cookie sheet (if contained in a pot or pan), covered by a fire blanket, or closed in the oven with the heat source turned off. NEVER use water to attempt to put out a grease or oil fire, and do not attempt to move the burning item to another area, as you may spill the burning fuel and spread the fire.

Escape plan from 2nd story

If you reside in a multi-story home or live above ground in an apartment structure, you may need to have an alternate escape plan that doesn’t include an elevator or stairs. If you’re in a high rise building, be sure to take the stairs if it is safe to do so and do not attempt to take elevators, which are to be avoided during fire events.

Having fire escape ladder systems easily accessible in each above-ground bedroom is recommended. They usually consist of rigid, lightweight rungs strung together with rope or high-strength webbing. Be sure to look at weight limits for each type to ensure they can support the largest person who may need to use it. Have each person go through the steps of screen removal and installing the escape ladder through a window opening. Ensure they know how to secure it and exit through the window feet first and facing the house.

Fire management drill

There is a small portion of the population who excel under life-threatening pressure. Most people, however, go into fight-flight-freeze mode. Frequently reviewing how to manage fire emergencies ensures that a reflex-like response that doesn’t require higher level thinking can be enacted. Especially if you have children in the home, consider a fire management drill every season that includes everything from calling 9-1-1 to safely escaping the home.

Christmas tree safety

What would a fire prevention plan be without some Christmas tree safety reminders as we head into the holiday season?

If you have a live tree, be sure that it is well-watered and needles have not dried out. Using LED lights that remain cooler than incandescent bulbs adds another layer of protection. Look back at the extension cord rules above as well to ensure you don’t overload circuits or create unsafe conditions. If a tree dries out, remove it from the home. A dry tree is a bonfire waiting to happen.

Fire safety is our business

Here at OPM we have been working year round on fire safety. Our project and program managers ensure that electrical undergrounding and pole assessment projects progress as effectively and efficiently as possible.

California wildfires have devastated the state for decades, with multiple fires being caused by electrical grid issues. Utility companies are actively identifying the areas with the highest fire threats and focusing on the undergrounding of electrical transmission lines in those districts. In addition, drones are being used to safely assess poles in areas not designated for undergrounding to ensure maintenance and repairs are completed in a timely manner.

It’s not too late

If October slipped past without a fire safety check, we encourage you to take some time to review your risks, escape plans, and needed maintenance or improvements.