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Across North America, October is designated
as Fire Prevention Month. Both the United States and Canada take
the opportunity to promote national campaigns of fire prevention
and safety. The horrible tragedy of the great Chicago fire of 1871
serves as inspiration for this month of activities focused on preventing
similar disasters. It is clear that the message of home fire safety
is not yet taken seriously by everyone since the large number of
preventable deaths resulting from smoke inhalation and fire each
year remains quite high.
There are many government agencies that have free
resources regarding the best health and safety practices. From
workplace safety in the office, to industrial safety when dealing
with dangerous chemicals or machinery, there are many regulations
that are meant to prevent injury and death. These will only work
if both employers and employees take the time to learn about,
and follow, the rules.
Your local fire department can provide free instruction
about fire safety in your home and office. They can advise as
to the proper number of fire and smoke detectors that should be
installed. If you have an existing smoke alarm detector, they
can test it to make sure it’s working properly.
Preventing injury and death from home or work
place fires is neither difficult nor expensive. A basic fire detector
can be purchased for under $20. More sophisticated models that
combine a gas detector with the smoke alarm may be more expensive.
First Alert sells a smoke detector uses both ionization and photoelectric
technology to sense both flaming and smoking fires for around
$30.00. As experts recommend that homes should have detectors
with both types of sensors, this two-in-one feature is convenient
and cost effective.
Each year, the majority of deaths from fire could
have been prevented if more people had taken the time ascertain
that they had the right equipment and a safety plan, at home or
at work. Make sure that your family or employees don’t end
up as a statistic. Promote fire safety all year long.
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