Posts

Fire Safety Strategies for Nursing Homes

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Enjoying their card gameIn the event of fire, most nursing home residents are unable to protect themselves. Therefore, it’s up to you as facility manager and/or owner to have the proper fire safety procedures in place to provide for the well-being of residents as well as staff.

It’s also important that the staff members understand that the safety of your residents is their number one priority.

Here are some fire safety strategies to help you prepare for a fire emergency: Read more →

Fire Inspections: Is Your Commercial Building Up to Code?

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

No building is completely safe from a fire. In 2013, there were approximately 93,000 non-residential building fires in the US—accounting for 65 deaths, 1,425 injuries, and nearly $2.5 billion in losses, according to the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Data Center.

Putting an efficient and effective fire prevention program plan in place, ensuring that your commercial fire alarm system is operating properly, and adhering to your state’s fire code and ordinances could prevent many of these fires. Before the fire inspectors in your town come out to inspect your building, you should be sure your property is up to code.

Here are 10 of the fire safety codes that must be adhered to in commercial buildings in Massachusetts: (Check the applicable laws in your state to identify the fire safety codes for commercial buildings.)

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Off Campus Fire Safety Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

American Alarm Video IconIt’s a calm day today on this college campus. But when fire strikes, calm can quickly turn to chaos.

Most dorms are equipped with commercial grade fire systems that are interconnected and monitored regularly to keep students as safe as possible. But, it’s a completely different story for students living off-campus.

According to the Center for Campus Fire Safety, almost 80-percent of fire-related fatalities in student housing occur off-campus. These fires are typically caused by a lack of automatic fire sprinklers, missing or disabled smoke alarms, and careless disposal of smoking materials.

Here are some simple steps to ensure your off-campus housing is a fire-safe environment.

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Summer Fire Safety Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

American Alarm Video IconEach year, families across the country look forward to summer vacations and all the fun outdoor activities that come along with it. Summertime, however, also brings fires and injuries due to outdoor cooking and fireworks.

So, take the initiative in your neighborhood, and help encourage fire safety by following these five summer fire safety tips.

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Home Safety Tips for Using Wood-Burning Stoves

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Home Safety Tips for Using Wood-Burning StovesOn January 9th, a 16-year-old Nassau County, Florida girl and her mom lost their lives in a fire that was started by a wood-burning stove they were apparently using to heat their home.

The girl’s father tried to save his family but, sadly, the fire was just too intense. Investigators said they weren’t sure if the home had been equipped with working smoke detectors. A working smoke alarm as well as monitored smoke detectors could have increased their chances of surviving that fire.

If you’re one of the many thousands of people who long for the “good old days” when folks used to heat their homes with wood-burning stoves, you should also be aware of the dangers of this practice, including the risk of fire, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Here are some tips for the safe and efficient use of wood-burning stoves to help ensure your safety as well as the safety of your family and your home.

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The 12 Ways of Holiday Safety

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

The 12 Ways of Holiday Safety The holidays are all about delicious food, entertaining, decorating, spending time with friends and loved ones, and reflecting on the beauty and the true meaning of the season.

While you’re enjoying the festivities – at home or at grandmother’s – it’s important to give your family and yourself the gift of safety.

To help you do that, we present the 12 ways of holiday safety:

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The ABCs of Fire Extinguishers

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

The ABCs of Fire ExtinguishersThe fact is that a monitored home fire alarm system is the best defense in the event of a fire. However, having portable fire extinguishers in your home can also help save lives and property by enabling you to put out a small fire or at least contain it until the fire department arrives.

It’s important to remember, though, that because fires grow and spread so rapidly, the number one priority is for you and your family to get out of the house safely.

Fire experts recommend installing fire extinguishers on every level of your home including the kitchen, basement and garage. Fire extinguishers come in various sizes so you should select the size that’s right for you based on your family situation and who you think is most likely to be using it.

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Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Thanksgiving Fire Safety TipsThanksgiving is the day when people across America gather with family and friends to celebrate, cook, share good food and conversation. Thanksgiving is also the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

In addition to the fire hazards posed by cluttered stovetops and crowded kitchens, turkey fryers and using candles also contribute to the increased risk of fire on this November holiday.

“Sadly, during the holidays we see a spike in cooking fires and injuries,” according to Massachusetts State Fire Marshall Stephen Coan.

A monitored home fire alarm system is the best defense against protecting your family in the event of a fire but here are some additional tips from Coan and the NFPA to help your loved ones have a happy, healthy and safe holiday.

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College Campus Fire Safety Fire Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

College Campus Fire Safety Fire TipsSeptember’s college Campus Fire Safety Month is winding down and the headlines are fading from view, but that doesn’t mean you should put campus fire safety out of your mind until next September.

Since 2000, 168 people have died in fires on college campuses, in Greek housing, or in off-campus housing within three miles of the campus. The good news – if there is such a thing as good news – is that 2013-2014 academic years was the lowest year on record for fatal campus-related fires.

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Electrical Safety Tips for Homeowners

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Electrical Safety Tips for HomeownersWhen it comes to the damage done by electrical fires every year, the numbers are staggering.

Each year, U.S. fire departments respond to an estimated 25,900 home electrical fires. These fires cause an estimated 280 deaths, 1,125 injuries, and $1.1 billion in property loss.

In fact, homeowners lose more money every year as a result of electrical fires than nonelectrical fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. You can even lose your entire home – or worse – because of a bad electrical fire.

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