Useful Electrical Safety Tips for the Homeowner
“Home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year, nearly than 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage. Electrical distribution systems are the third leading cause of home structure fires. Each year in the...
Fighting Fire with Fire Time Challenges
“As flames spread up the hill toward million-dollar homes, the firefighters scrambled to keep pace. “It’s starting to move up the trees!” shouted Jason King as Steve Zieba raced ahead with a hose, slipping on the steep incline before aiming his nozzle at a...
NFFF Instrumental in Changes to International Fire Code Concerning CO
“The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) is humbled to partner with the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association (NCOAA) in efforts to improve firefighter safety. Recently code proposals were submitted to enact changes to the International Fire...
US Navy Releases Report on Loss of USS Bonhomme Richard
“On 12 July 2020, a fire set USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD-6) ablaze for more than four days, and left the ship damaged beyond economical repair. Although the fire was started by an act of arson, the ship was lost due to an inability to extinguish the fire. In the...
Shutting Down Fire Sprinklers Too Soon
“Warehouses are often lost because of failure to adhere to three basic principles. We evaluated eight total loss warehouse fires where sprinklers were controlling the fire, or where the fire was thought to be completely extinguished, and yet ended in a total...
Storage Tank Concerns and Inspections
“American Petroleum Institute (API) created the API 650, 651 and 653 to provide standards for the safe storage of petroleum products. These standards were designed to protect employees, the public and the environment. However, it is the tank owner’s...
The ongoing fire threat to First Nations communities.
Did you know that the incidents of fire are 10 times higher within Indigenous communities versus other Canadian communities?
This statistic comes from the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council Project and highlights the ongoing fire threat to Indigenous homes and families which is five times more likely to be fatal. That number increases to over 10 times for First Nations people living on reserves. The National Indigenous Fire Safety Council’s website is designed to offer support to Indigenous communities.
The reasons that fire safety is such a prevalent issue in First Nations communities vary but can be attributed in part to lack of smoke alarms, higher poverty rates and insufficient housing. The importance of adequate training being provided within every community is extremely crucial and losses on First Nation lands far surpass those on off-reserve communities.
Knowing how to prevent a fire can make the difference between lives saved or lost. Remembering how an unattended pot on a stove can readily turn into a kitchen fire, and that flammable objects near a baseboard, electric heater or a fireplace can cause pyrolysis (the decomposition of a combustible object brought on by constant or high temperatures which lower its ignition point) can make the difference between life and death.
While wildfires and other natural disasters can also put First Nations communities at risk; fires in homes are often completely preventable. It is crucial to implement fire safety protocols and attain fire safety prevention training to reduce and prevent losses.
Five Reasons to Learn About Fire Safety and Prevention
- Fire prevention is inexpensive and saves lives and property.
- Routine fire prevention assessments ensure a high level of building and occupant safety.
- Detecting and quickly extinguishing a fire by learning how fire protection systems are designed.
- Regular safety code inspections provide occupants with fire safety education, it demonstrates a commitment to safety and builds trust within the community.
- Learning how to eliminate hazards that can cause a fire to start and grow.
FireWise has developed online training courses that are easy to follow and provide the knowledge needed to save lives. To learn more please check out Building Safety and Fire Prevention training program at www.firewiseconsulting.com.
Fire Researcher Opines that the World is in An Age of Fire
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