Mark Your October Calendar As Fire Prevention Week in the Santa Rosa Beach Area

10/3/2017 (Permalink)

Fire Prevention Week is October 8-14, 2017

Prevent Fire Related Tragedies with a Plan of Action

Make an annual practice of reviewing your fire preparedness during October, Fire Prevention Week. Home and business owners can do much to ready themselves, their families, and their employees to respond to fire threats. Creating a fire escape plan and maintaining fire alert and fighting equipment are practical steps everyone can take both to lower the risk of fire and to increase the success of fire mitigation efforts.

Every family and business must invest in an emergency exit blueprint, and then perform drills to ensure all who may face a blaze know what to do to vacate their Santa Rosa Beach dwelling or commercial building safely. Keep the practices lighthearted but detailed in a home setting so as not to frighten children or vulnerable family member. Teach competence in this life-saving technique, so all feel confident in their duties.

Scrutinize escape routes to determine whether you need to perform repairs or maintenance to make them safe and simple to access. Doors and windows that double as fire exits must open easily with no paint or caulk redistricting movement. Remove any screws or nails that impede movement. Install or make available nearby safety escape ladders if escaping from an upper story of a building is necessary. Practice their use.

Make a list of equipment installed or available in your home or business that helps avoid fires or extinguishes flames. Smoke alarms or detectors need new batteries yearly, so make that an October ritual. Be sure to test them monthly, as well. Hang charged fire extinguishers in high fire risk areas like kitchens, laundry rooms, and garages. Evaluate areas of your commercial buildings to determine the best locations for extinguishers and then supply and maintain them.

Schedule an annual meeting with your insurance agent to familiarize yourself with your fire damage coverage, making adaptations as necessary to increase your comfort level. Maintain a running inventory of your personal belongings, important papers, pictures, and heirlooms to enable clear and supported claims in the event of a fire. Businesses should also document their intellectual and physical property to streamline the fire coverage claims process. October is the perfect time to make sure you are on track with this routine.

SERVPRO of N. Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes & Washington Counties is your community partner should fire damage your home or commercial properties. Call for reliable and professional restoration services at (850) 267-0746 day or night.

For more details about Santa Rosa Beach, visit http://www.santarosa.fl.gov/