October is Fire Safety Month, and the National Fire Protection Association^® (NFPA^®) has announced its theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week^TMis “Fire Won’t Wait, Plan Your Escape.” Running from October 9-15, this year represents the 100^th anniversary since Fire Protection Week was established.

Herbert Williams Fire Equipment Ltd. takes pride in supporting fire safety for homes and businesses for over a century. We proudly support the NFPA’s 2022 Fire Safety Week theme, “Fire Won’t Wait, Plan Your Escape.” Our wide selection of commercial and residential fire protection equipment is there to fill any holes you have in your fire safety plan. Offering turnkey fire protection solutions, our qualified, experienced technicians can design, install, and inspect fire suppression and alarm systems to keep you safe.

Protect Your Home from Fire

Just under 50% of all Canadian fire deaths happen at home. In the U.S., it’s worse, with nearly 75% of all fire-related deaths happening in the one place you’re supposed to feel safe. One reason for this is that governments require businesses to have many more fire protection systems in place to keep employees and customers safe. So, how do you protect your loved ones at home?

• Make a fire safety plan that helps everyone get out safely. Remember that young children, the elderly, and people with disabilities will need extra help and may benefit from special warning systems, like strobe lights, or bed shakers.
• Install smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms inside every room used for sleeping, outside every sleeping area, and on each story of your home. Interconnected smoke alarms all go off at once, regardless of where the fire is located, and give you more time to escape.
• Test your smoke alarms monthly to ensure they’re clean, unobstructed, and in good working order.
• Install portable ABC Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers near areas where a fire could occur. A minimum 2LB ABC Fire Extinguisher for the kitchen in the event of a grease fire on the stove, a 5LB ABC Fire Extinguisher in the garage where you may store solvents, paints or thinners and a 5LB ABC Fire Extinguisher in the basement where you may use a portable heater or other electrical devices.
• If you can, have at least two paths to escape from every room. Make sure your doors and windows are easy to open.
• If you live in a multiple-story home you may want to have an Emergency Escape ladder available for an alternative escape exit.
• Designate a safe outside meeting place for the family to gather.
• Practice your family’s home fire drill a minimum of twice a year. Be sure to practice both in the daytime and at night. These drills should include every family member and any guests you have staying with you.
• Don’t be afraid to talk frankly with your children about fire dangers and the steps you are all taking to protect against them.
• Remember that panic is a killer, so the more comfortable your family is with how fire drills go, the more likely they’ll remember their training when it matters most.

Protect Your Business from Fire

As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to keep your employees, customers, and place of business safe from fire dangers. All businesses are subject to governmental regulation when it comes to fire safety. Certain industries may require more extensive protective measures, but there are some general guidelines that apply to everyone.

• Develop a fire safety plan that complies with the NFPA and any industrial or local regulations for your type of company. Herbert Williams can help you develop afire safety plan that’s right for your facility.
• Ensure your facility is in compliance with applicable regulations and keep meticulous records using an approved Fire Protection Log Book.
• Carry out regular fire drills so employees and guests know exactly what to do in case of a fire.
• Some parts of your fire protection system maintenance can be done by your staff. Make sure they’re properly trained and keep good records. When problems arise, take care of them as soon as possible.
• Perform a monthly visual check to be sure your fire extinguishers are easily accessible, in good working order, and fully charged. Make sure they’re serviced annually by a qualified Fire Protection Company.
• Test your smoke alarms every month. Change the batteries at least annually. Many people do this each spring when Daylight Savings Time changes.
• Perform monthly tests on your fire alarms.

Fire Safety Checklists for Home and Business

Home Fire Preparedness Checklist

• Test smoke alarms every month.
• Change the batteries in your smoke alarms once a year or sooner if your smoke alarm fails its monthly test.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years or sooner based on manufacturer recommendations.
• Practice monthly emergency egress drills with your family.
• Place fire extinguishers in areas where fires are likely to occur, like the kitchen or garage.
• Community matters! Check with your extended family, friends, and neighbours to see if they need help with fire preparedness.

Business Fire Preparedness Checklist

• Create or annually review your Fire Safety Plan.
• Train employees in fire safety protocol.
• Keep detailed records of inspections.
• Test fire and smoke alarms monthly, have your Fire Alarm System inspected annually and ensure that your facility is protected 24/7 with ULC Fire Alarm Monitoring.
• Change smoke alarm batteries at least annually.
• Test Emergency lighting monthly and have them inspected annually as per CAN/ULC Standards.
• Ensure exit signage is easily visible.
• Ensure fire extinguishers are fully charged and easily accessible.
• Have sprinkler systems inspected and serviced by qualified technicians in accordance with NFPA 25.
• Keep exit passageways clear and fire doors in good working order.
• Have your annual inspections performed by a qualified fire protection company.

Fire Prevention Week

This fire prevention week, remember to check your equipment, practice your drills, and touch base with community resources. Many fire stations and municipalities have special activities and events throughout fire prevention week, including things like rescue demonstrations, help with home escape planning, children’s activities, fire extinguisher practice, barbecues, music, demonstrations of how their equipment works, and representatives on hand from fire and life safety equipment suppliers.

Herbert Williams has been protecting homes and businesses since 1908. We never compromise when it comes to the quality of the products and services we offer. Whether you need portable fire extinguishers, testing and annual maintenance, help with regulatory compliance issues, or a risk assessment, we’ve got you covered.