What exactly is a hood cleaner in fire protection?
A kitchen hood cleaning technician is responsible for cleaning and maintaining the exhaust systems in commercial kitchens. The job is essential to ensure that kitchens are safe and clean. This has created a need for trained professionals who can safely and effectively clean kitchen hoods. In addition to the increased demand, there are many other benefits of becoming a kitchen hood cleaning technician. For instance, the job is relatively low-stress and can be done on a flexible schedule. Technicians tend to work independently and after restaurant business hours since cleaning requires shutting down the kitchen range.
The job is crucial to fire safety and can be very rewarding. It is also a great way to get started in the fire protection industry. If you’re looking for a stable job with good pay and flexible hours, then becoming a kitchen hood cleaning technician may be the right career move for you.
Under the hood of an Ansul Kitchen Fire Suppression System.
Why become a Kitchen Hood Cleaning Technician?
A kitchen hood cleaning service is an integral part of commercial kitchen maintenance. The hood filters catch soot, grease, odor, and other smoke-related particles generated by cooking. Grease and other food particles that land on the kitchen hood filters need to be removed so the fire suppression system can operate correctly and efficiently. As a kitchen hood cleaning technician, you will play a vital role in ensuring that restaurants and other commercial kitchens stay in compliance with health and fire codes.
There are many reasons to become a kitchen hood cleaning technician. First and foremost, it is a great way to help keep people safe. Commercial kitchens can be dangerous places, and by ensuring that they are clean, you can help prevent accidents and injuries. The work is essential and can be both interesting and challenging. Kitchen hood cleaning technicians can also take advantage of opportunities to learn about new technology and equipment. They also enjoy good job security and earn a decent wage.
What Training is Involved?
What does it take to become a cleaning technician? What are the specialized training requirements, and what would be involved in learning a trade like this? Marmic is committed to providing you with the training necessary to do your job effectively and that your work meets the highest standards. With insurance and benefits included, the paid on-the-job training program provides you with new skills and an entry-level job in an exciting industry where you can get certified in other equipment such as fire suppression systems, fire alarms, and fire sprinklers.
While a hood cleaning technician doesn’t have a particularly glamorous job, it is indeed a useful one. Hood cleaners are in high demand due to the increasing popularity of restaurants: and as it is an essential service, they have better job security in times of recession. If for nothing else, think of the safety benefits and the importance of keeping the kitchen as sanitary as possible. It’s that simple. As a hood technician, you’ll be making more than just money; you’ll also help your community by keeping kitchens safer.
If you are considering a career at a Total Fire & Safety and our parent company Marmic Fire & Safety® as a Kitchen Hood Cleaning technician, watch this video with Oscar Oguike on our Careers page. Oscar provides an overview of his growth with Marmic and the respect he has found working here.
Cheerful business owners standing with open blackboard
If you own or are opening a new business…Congratulations! Not everyone has what it takes to do what you’ve accomplished. Navigating through federal, state, and local regulations was tough but you’ve made it.
Before you have that Grand Opening though, have you ensured your fire protection needs are met? Perhaps you’re looking to get a certificate of occupancy but can’t because…surprise!…you didn’t meet safety codes. Or, perhaps you’re simply planning your budget for the year.
Either way, we want you to have the best possible start to your business so we’ve put together a short guide for some popular small businesses and what each of them can expect regarding fire protection purchases, inspection, and maintenance.
Restaurants and other Food Services
At minimum, a restaurant is required to have a kitchen hood fire suppression system(s) guarding the range and movable appliances. A note of caution: before moving appliances, such as commercial charbroilers, check with your fire protection service provider so that your system stays in compliance. Also, restaurants must have Class K portable fire extinguishers which contain a suppressive agent formulated specifically for grease fires.
While extinguishers are simple to install, a kitchen range hood installation encompasses design, installation, gas hookups, finishing work, AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) certification, and staff training. All of this is typically included in the quote your installer will provide. What may not be included is the cost of future inspections which are conducted semi-annually and required.
If your kitchen range is a workhorse, you may want to invest in Quarterly Hood Cleanings to prevent grease buildup in the hood and spray nozzles which can render a kitchen system ineffective. And, depending on your fire district codes, you may need additional equipment such as a sprinkler system and/or fire alarm system.
Automotive Repair and Body Shops
Shops specializing in automotive repair and spray painting require ABC Fire Extinguishers in every shop. Needless to say…but we’ll say it anyway…the “hotwork” done via welding and cutting should be conducted with plenty of distance between such work and flammables. Not all shops are the same size or configuration so how many extinguishers and where they’re placed will depend on your unique needs. There will be times that portable equipment gets moved to other locations within the shop, sometimes closer to flammables; so, situational awareness and, of course, the right fire suppression system are key to maintaining safety.
In the case of spray paint shops, the type and concentration of flammable chemicals call for a special type of suppression system called a paint booth system. Similar to other industrial suppression systems, this type will require semi-annual inspections and occasional maintenance.
Daycares
Since daycare facilities involve children, special care and regulation will compel you to have multiple fire safety components. In addition to fire extinguishers and kitchen hoods (if a range is present) a fire alarm and sprinkler system will add protective layers to your overall safety plan. Although this article discusses fire protection, it won’t hurt to consider access control and CCTV as part of overall safety in a childcare setting.
Healthcare / Assisted Living
Similar to daycare, facilities housing vulnerable populations such as the elderly and special needs residents will demand a variety of fire protection components to maintain safety compliance and keep property damage to a minimum.
According to a National Fire Protection Association report (https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/Building-and-Life-Safety/Fires-in-Health-Care-Facilities), most fires in healthcare facilities start with cooking equipment. However, fires with the costliest impact start elsewhere in these facilities, usually due to electrical components and lighting. Even when fire sprinklers are present, their effectiveness can be diminished by inadequate coverage, inappropriate or painted sprinkler heads, and poorly maintained early warning systems such as heat and smoke detectors.
So what does all that mean for this type of business? Investment in kitchen hood fire suppression systems, sprinkler systems, and fire alarm systems should be at the forefront of your budget planning whether purchasing an existing facility or building new.
For hospitals, accreditation through HFAP or the Joint Commission will include an adequate fire protection plan.
Art Galleries and other Sensitive Environments
Setting up shop in an old turned trendy district lends itself to the art scene but while the buildings in these districts may be “grandfathered” against some fire codes they could be, in reality, a fire waiting to happen. Art Galleries and historical sites should consider clean agent systems such as FM-200 and Inergen and clean agent portable extinguishers that won’t damage works of art or sensitive materials. Naturally, this kind of specialized equipment is pricier for both installation and inspection/maintenance but well worth the investment.
On the other side of the spectrum, the last decade has seen a rise in data storage and archive centers for which the same principles of fire protection apply. Use a clean agent system that won’t damage electrical or sensitive materials and ensure access control egress (exiting) is working safely.
All Businesses
For all businesses, there are numerous things that can break a budget but fire prevention doesn’t have to be one of them. Avoid putting it on the side burner for the simple reason it’s a once, sometimes twice a year item to tick off the list because it isn’t really.
Equipment used in rough or poorly controlled environments will break down more frequently and require more extensive repair work and maintenance. Even then, there will be mandatory, additional testing.
Periodic testing of equipment integrity is necessary for fire alarms, fire extinguishers, kitchen range hoods, and industrial or clean agent suppression systems.
Fire extinguishers require 6-year maintenance and 12-year hydrotesting.
Fire Alarms receive a 2-year sensitivity test.
Sprinkler systems call for fire pump, 5-year Internal Pipe inspection, and backflow preventer testing.
Like fire extinguishers, kitchen range hoods, and industrial / clean agent systems require hydrotesting on every system tank every 12 years.
Other factors such as the physical size of your business, its location, and your insurance requirements all play parts in fire protection management too. Each of these can affect the quantity, placement, type of equipment, and frequency of inspections. Some insurers go so far as to require quarterly, monthly, even weekly inspections of sprinklers and fire extinguishers. But these inspections are less involved and often just visual inspections such as checking gauges and physical damage. Even though these “visual” inspections are more frequent they do not take the place of the annual inspection.
In between inspections, you can perform your own walk-throughs to make sure your equipment is accessible and ready to use.
Planned, timely inspections can help you stave off surprise expenses throughout the year in terms of both repair costs and AHJ fines but ultimately, the safety of your customers, yourself, and your business is paramount. In a matter of seconds, a fire can destroy all your hard work and put you out-of-business. But planning your budget with fire protection in mind and setting up a fire inspection schedule with a service provider you trust can extend a good safety net for whatever type of small business you open.
Do you know the “Sounds of Fire Safety?” The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) celebrates Fire Prevention Week every October. This year, everyone in fire protection is focusing on sounds, whether from smoke detectors or full on emergency sirens, alerting you to fire hazards. Sound awareness is extremely important for visually impaired and blind individuals.
TFS’ parent company Marmic Fire & Safety® released a video interview with members of the Joplin (Missouri) Association for the Blind, a non-profit organization offering assistance to low vision and blind members of Southwest Missouri communities. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to lose your sight during an emergency? Jim Murray and Jim Smith of JAB offer their experiences in both fire and non-fire situations.
How important is the fire code for animal shelters? Deadly fires at kennels and animal shelters are not uncommon across the U.S. In the past year, over 100 dogs have died in kennel fires, including here near Chicago.
On the night of January 14, 2019, a West Chicago animal kennel went up in flames. Thirty-one dogs perished in the fire. The exact cause of the fire is unknown, but investigators determined no staff was present at the time and no working fire sprinklers were on property. The kennel did have fire detectors, but no one was around to hear them.
The tragedy prompted lawmakers to come up with legislation to ensure such an event never happens again. The new law, signed in August, went into effect January 1. The legislation requires kennels to be staffed 24/7 or have sprinkler systems or alarms that alert local fire departments.
When it comes to arming animal shelters with lifesaving equipment, Total Fire and Safety can help with the installation of …..
Wireless Fire Alarms
Preferred by fire departments, they are more reliable than land-based systems for their quick and accurate response.
A working fire sprinkler is 96% effective in containing a fire.
Monthly, quarterly, and annual inspections are necessary to ensure safety and keep your building fire code compliant.
TFS uses the most up-to-date technology and thorough process to prevent sprinkler failure.
Working fire extinguishers can keep a small fire from getting out of control when someone is in the facility. Every business needs working fire extinguishers at the ready, and be trained to use them.
A fire extinguisher is your first line of defense, 24/7.
30% of fire extinguishers are not in working order. We complete a 12-point inspection to make sure they are fire ready.
On-site training is provided to guarantee proper employee usage.
All it takes is basic fire protection to save animal and human lives.
Illinois’ new fire code will help protect our furry friends from another senseless tragedy and prevent irreparable damage to lives, structures, and pocketbooks. Total Fire and Safety can equip your facility with the latest fire protection and help maintain the equipment installed. Give us a call today at (630) 960-5060.
We wish you the warmth and cheer of the season!
Thank you for your continued support throughout the year.
From all of us at Total Fire & Safety
Twelve Days of Fire Safety
On the first day of safety, Total Fire gave to me… A safe and code compliant facility!
On the second day of safety, Total Fire gave to me… Two emergency plans and a safe and code compliant facility!
On the third day of safety, Total Fire gave to me… Three eyewash stations Two emergency plans and a safe and code compliant facility!
On the fourth day of safety, Total Fire gave to me.. Four first aid kits Three eyewash stations Two emergency plans and a safe and code compliant facility!
On the fifth day of safety, Total Fire gave to me… FIVE WIRELESS ALARMS Four first aid kits Three eyewash stations Two emergency plans and a safe and code compliant facility!
On the sixth day of safety, Total Fire gave to me… Six extinguishers inspected FIVE WIRELESS ALARMS Four first aid kits Three eyewash stations Two emergency plans and a safe and code compliant facility!
On the seventh day of safety, Total Fire gave to me… Seven exit signsSix extinguishers inspected FIVE WIRELESS ALARMS Four first aid kits Three eyewash stations Two emergency plans and a safe and code compliant facility!
On the eight day of safety, Total Fire gave to me… Eight backflow inspections Seven exit signs Six extinguishers inspected FIVE WIRELESS ALARMS Four first aid kits Three eyewash stations Two emergency plans and a safe and code compliant facility!
On the ninth day of safety, Total Fire gave to me… Nine sprinkler systems Eight backflow inspections Seven exit signs Six extinguishers inspected FIVE WIRELESS ALARMS Four first aid kits Three eyewash stations Two emergency plans and a safe and code compliant facility!
On the tenth day of safety, Total Fire gave to me… Ten safety trainings Nine sprinkler systems Eight backflow inspections Seven exit signs Six extinguishers inspected FIVE WIRELESS ALARMS Four first aid kits Three eyewash stations Two emergency plans and a safe and code compliant facility!
On the eleventh day of safety, Total Fire gave to me… Eleven fire pumps serviced Ten safety trainings Nine sprinkler systems Eight backflow inspections Seven exit signs Six extinguishers inspected FIVE WIRELESS ALARMS Four first aid kits Three eyewash stations Two emergency plans and a safe and code compliant facility!
On the twelfth day of safety, Total Fire gave to me… Twelve new extinguishers Eleven fire pumps serviced Ten safety trainings Nine sprinkler systems Eight backflow inspections Seven exit signs Six extinguishers inspected FIVE WIRELESS ALARMS Four first aid kits Three eyewash stations Two emergency plans and a safe and code compliant facility!
Fire prevention week has been designated as October 6-12, 2019 by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Fire prevention week has a long history, dating back to 1925, when President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed fire prevention week as a national observance. Now, it has become the longest running health observance in the country.
At Total Fire & Safety, we use this time to reiterate to our clients how important it is to stay compliant with NFPA codes and keep everyone within their buildings, warehouses and commercial spaces supplied with fire extinguishers, sprinklers, and suppression systems that are ready to go when fire strikes.
The theme of this year’s campaign is “Plan and Practice Your Escape.” So how can a business observe National Fire Prevention Week? Here’s a few ideas.
If you do not do so regularly, heed the theme of the program and “plan and practice your escape.” Every employee should be mindful of their best options in the event of an emergency.
Call your fire protection service for an inspection of your equipment and make sure all your extinguishers, alarms, sprinkler systems, etc. are in working order.
Consider a training class for fire extinguisher operation, first aid, or CPR.
Around the Total Fire & Safety service area, the observance is being commemorated with lots of events at community fire stations. For more information, see the website for each individual fire department.
South Chicago Heights Fire Department: 185 W Sauk Trail, South Chicago Heights, IL 60411, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Open House
Saturday, Oct. 12
Northbrook Fire Department: 1840 Shermer Road, Northbrook, IL 60062, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Open House
Crystal Lake Fire Rescue: 100 W Woodstock St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Open House
Prospect Heights: 10 E. Camp McDonald Rd, Prospect Heights, IL 60031, 9 a.m. Open House
La Grange Park Fire Department: 447 N. Catherine Ave., La Grange Park, IL 60526, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Open House
Elgin Fire Department: 650 Big Timber Road, Elgin, IL 60123, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Open House
City of Rockford: 204 S. First St., Rockford, IL 61104, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Homewood Fire Department: 17950 Dixie Highway, HOMEWOOD, IL 60430, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Plainfield Fire Protection District: 23748 W. 135th Street, Plainfield, IL 60544, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Open House
Westmont Fire Department: 6015 S. Cass Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Open House
Alsip Fire Department: 11946 S. Laramie, Alsip, IL 60803, 1 – 3:30 p.m. Open House
Calumet City Fire Department, Station 2: 1270 Pulaski Rd, Calumet City, 12 – 3 p.m. Open House
Sunday, Oct. 13
North Palos Fire Protection District: 10629 S Roberts Rd, Palos Hills, IL 60465, 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Byron Fire Department: 123 S. Franklin St., Byron, IL 61010, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Open House
Elmhurst Fire Department: 601 S York, Elmhurst, IL 60126, 12 – 4 p.m. Open House
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Chicago Ridge Fire Department: 10063 Virginia, Chicago Ridge, IL 60415, 6 – 9 p.m.
Fire protection and preparation is not just a week-long observance but a 365 day a year, 24/7 job. At Total Fire & Safety, we have everything you need to keep your employees and tenants protected. If we can ever assist your business with NFPA compliance for your commercial fire protection, contact us at 630-960-5060.
Once again active shooting in public places is making headlines and making us consider our self defense options wherever we go. Unfortunately, our safety can be threatened almost anywhere, and self-defense is important. In your workplace or the facilities you manage, it’s important for the people inside to know how to react in the event of an active shooter or other attack.
In the case of an active shooter or other violent attack, potential victims have little or no advance warning. The sound of gunshots may be the earliest alert you receive, leaving little time to react. That’s why it is more important that you are prepared with a proactive plan of self defense, so you know how to respond immediately.
For years we were taught to shelter in place and wait for first responders. But studies have found that this line of defense results in increased casualties. Recently, offices and buildings have adopted the ALICE response plan. ALICE is an acronym for the five steps you can take to survive an active shooter attack. You may or may not use all the steps in the plan, but it’s nice to know that the fire extinguishers we regularly install and service, can actually be used effectively against an attacker in the “C” or “counter” step of ALICE.
So, in the event of an attack, remember ALICE:
Alert- Let everyone in the office or the building know what is going on when you hear gunshots, receive a warning or phone message, etc. The faster you communicate, the more lives can be saved.
Lockdown- If evacuation is not an option, lock the door, barricade it, and cover windows. Look for alternate escape routes, call 911, but do not open the door. Prepare yourself for the shooter to enter.
Inform- Pass on as much information as you can. Who, what, where, when! The more those around you know, the better.
Counter- Counter is one of the most dangerous but potential life saving strategies within the ALICE response. To counter is to fight back. Even in schools, there is one weapon, available to all, allowed and required in all buildings, and easy to use at your disposal against a predator. It’s your FIRE EXTINGUISHER!
While any object can become a weapon against the shooter, that five or ten-pound fire extinguisher on the wall can be very powerful. Remember that an armed assailant will not have a free hand to block counterattacks, nor will they be expecting one. Use your fire extinguisher to throw at the shooter or as a bludgeon when he comes through the door. Even if hitting him over the head does not knock him unconscious, it can buy you time to escape. You can also pull the pin and deploy the contents which can potentially blind or suffocate the shooter, or at the very least, startle him/her, long enough to disarm or tackle them.
To use a fire extinguisher, remember PASS:
Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.
Once the can is empty, keep your grasp and ram the bottom of the can into the attacker’s face or body. Having training on how to correctly use a fire extinguisher ahead of time can ensure that your employees are prepared for more than fighting fires!
If you automatically locate the nearest escape doors when you go into a public place, it’s also a good time to note where the fire extinguishers are located, just in case.
The last letter in the ALICE acronym is “E.”
Evacuate- Escaping the danger zone is always the best self defense option in the event of a shooter. Total Fire & Safety offers emergency evacuation and fire safety training so your people are trained to respond in a productive, organized way should an emergency ensue.
Total Fire and Safety is committed to all areas of life safety, including self defense against active shooters. For more information on our training, see our website or give us a call: 630-960-5060.
When people think of careers in fire safety in Illinois, they usually think of firefighters. But what about the folks who prevent the fires in the first place? These dedicated professionals work in the area of commercial fire safety. They help commercial buildings and residential dwellings stay up to code with the fire safety equipment, and thus, can save lives indirectly by keeping people safe and prepared for fire emergencies.
Providing fire safety to any business, at any level, starts with teamwork. If one aspect of fire safety fails (sprinkler, extinguisher, or alarm), it can make the difference between life and death. All the fire safety components work within a life safety ecosystem, which includes government code compliance, a skilled workforce, and an investment in safety equipment, installation, and training. As part of a commercial fire safety team such as Total Fire and Safety, you are part of a life-saving mission. We provide customers their first offense in putting out a fire on their premises.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and their Occupational Outlook Handbook, the projected employment change for security and fire alarm system installers is expected to grow 14 percent, which is faster than the average career. They are expecting growth of 10,400 new jobs between 2016-2020. Currently, Illinois, the home state of Total Fire & Safety, is among the states in the nation that employs the most installers in this field. (see chart below).
Chart reprinted from Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2018, 49-2098 Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
Many of the careers in fire safety require a high school diploma or equivalent but mainly, on-the-job training. At Total Fire & Safety, we have a vigorous employee training program that prepares our people for many of the jobs that are so needed in the industry, such as customer service, sales representatives, dispatchers, fire alarm service technicians, fire extinguisher technicians, fire sprinkler service technicians, etc. We even have an on-site training facility (pictured below) where we regularly host classes and training modules for TFS employees.
You’ve heard the phrase teamwork makes the dream work, right? At Total Fire and Safety we are always looking for dedicated professionals to join our commercial fire safety team, which has that has provided fire safety for over 30 years. If you are looking for employment or are ready for a career change, join Total Fire and Safety and see how working as a team can save lives.
To learn more about the opportunities available and experience needed at Total Fire and Safety, visit our employment page or search us on Indeed.
According to legend, the cause of the greatest fire in Chicago was a cow kicking over a lantern in a barn. In 1871, the entire city of Chicago was engulfed in flames. The fire lasted two days, left 300 people dead and over $200 million in damage. The event changed Chicago. Stricter fire codes were implemented, structures were built with different materials, and fire departments were equipped with better equipment and advanced training methods.
Today, fires in Chicago rarely go unexplained due to investigative divisions within the fire departments. The investigative teams are well trained in how to identify common causes of fires in Chicago. The most common causes of fires in Chicago vary by type.
Whether it is a residential fire or industrial fire, criminal or accidental, fires in Chicago and around the country all have a determining factor. The responsibility for finding the determining factor is up to the fire department. From a public standpoint, finding a cause seems impossible. How do they do it?
Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters note the color of the flames, the amount of smoke, the rate at which the fire spreads, and the sound it makes. These are all clues as to what is burning and how it is burning. It is incumbent of the firefighters to protect the evidence at the scene by:
Limiting excessive fire suppression
Preventing needless destruction to a property
Using markers or cones to identify evidence
Writing notes or making voice recordings of observations
Covering areas that contain evidence
Preserve delicate evidence like shoe or tire tracks
Once the fire is extinguished, the fire investigators dig through the ashes. They take photographs prior to and during the investigation for documentation. The objective of investigators is to locate the point of origin. This is achieved through the char patterns, direction of melt, and heat shadows. The burn patterns are often “V” shaped like an inverted cone. The fire burns upward, in a V-shaped pattern away from point of origin. The location is usually the most damaged by the fire. Although most of the determination of origin is science-based, there is a little bit of guessing and witness accounts. Fires in Chicago are likely to have one of four reasons:
Electrical issues
Natural acts
Open flames
Human action
Fires in Chicago have decreased over the years with an average of eight fire per day. Fortunately, fatal fires are rare, but even one is too many. It’s important for residents and businesses to practice fire safety. Is your business well equipped against fires? Total Fire and Safety can help safeguard your building and those occupying it with fire alarms, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, emergency lights and more. We’ll inspect your property to ensure it is up to code and even provide training classes for employees so they know how to use the equipment in an emergency. Give TFS a call today at 630-960-5060.
With the rise in popularity and construction of senior living centers, fire safety continues to be a concern to keep our grandparents, parents, and aging loved ones protected. According to the United States Fire Administration, in 2015, older adults represented 15 percent of the U.S. population and suffered 40 percent of all fire related deaths. They are also 2.7 times greater risk of dying in a fire than the total population. Those 85 and older were 3.8 times more likely to die in a fire than the total population.
The elderly in multi-level dwellings are at higher risk of dying in a fire for several reasons. They may be on medication that impairs them from taking stairs down to safety, or their mobility issues may prevent them from moving quickly enough. They may live alone or have no one to call for assistance. Educating property managers, caretakers, and the elderly on fire safety for senior citizens is one step we can take in protecting this aging generation. Below are some considerations for property managers and their tenants.
1. Test Smoke Alarms
Smoke is a silent killer. Senior citizens with hearing problems who sleep without a hearing aid could be killed in their sleep. Having a working smoke alarm in every room and hallway helps, but they should be effective for the user. Strobe alarms are best, and seniors can install alarms that shake their bed to rouse them in the event of a fire. Most importantly of all, make sure to test smoke alarms every month so they are always in compliance.
2. Sit Your Butt Down…in the proper place!
Smoking is the number one cause of fire deaths in the country. Remind senior citizens never to smoke in bed and especially not near flammable oxygen tanks. Seniors can use deeper or heavier ashtrays to avoid ashes flipping or falling onto the rug and starting a fire. The best way to put butts out is with sand and water.
3. Create a Fire Escape Plan
Seniors may have less than three minutes to escape danger in the event of a fire. They should have a fire escape plan and practice it, knowing all the accessible exits. For seniors suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s who have escape proof doors, it is important they have a prearranged escort in the event of a fire.
4. Stay in the Kitchen
Seniors should always stay in the kitchen when cooking. Most kitchen fires begin because food is left unattended, so if they must leave the kitchen while cooking they should turn the burner off. Even a short absence from the kitchen can unexpectedly turn into an extended amount of time away. If seniors must leave the kitchen, they should take a cooking utensil or potholder with them to serve a helpful reminder. Also, remind seniors to never cook with loose or dangling sleeves that can easily ignite and burn a senior, or potentially start a major fire.
5. Daily Necessities
Seniors should think about what they use to get around every day, like glasses, a wheelchair, a cane, etc. These items should be placed next to the bed for easy access in case of fire. A phone and a whistle should also be at bedside. The whistle lets people know where you are and enables you to warn others of the fire. Escape is always the priority; call the fire department later. If trapped, use the phone to call for help. Seniors with wheelchairs or walkers should check exit routes ahead of time to be sure they are accessible or plan an alternate route. Inform building managers or neighbors of the plan. If your impairment makes it impossible to escape in the event of a fire, discuss your concern with landlord, or check with the fire department.
6. Don’t Overload Outlets or Extension Cords
Inspect your extension cords regularly for fraying, exposed wire, or loose plugs. Unplug extension cords when not in use. If you need to plug in multiple appliances, use an extension cord approved by the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL), a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
As their population begins to grow, fire safety for senior citizens cannot be stressed enough. Property managers, caretakers, the elderly, and their families should all be aware of the increased risk to the age group and try to protect them. The professionals at Total Fire and Safety are ready to help ensure your building has fire equipment that is working properly. We provide the life safety features that keep fire safety for your residents, including senior citizens, a main priority. Give us a call today! 630-960-5060
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