Fire Safety Advice Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Davis Ulmer Fire Protection

Preventing Factory Fires

The first step in fire prevention is safety, and when it comes to preventing factory fires, safety is an absolute priority.

According to the National Fire Protection Agency, fire departments respond to about 37,000 incidences of industrial or manufacturing property fire per year.

Practicing fire safety in a factory setting is a little bit different from practicing fire safety at an apartment complex, your home, or an office building. Fires that occur in large spaces that are full of people and machinery are particularly dangerous; there could be multiple injuries and even deaths caused by asphyxiation.

Practice Your Fire Escape Plan

To practice fire safety in a factory setting, the most important thing to do is make sure the employees know where the closest exits are to them. That way, if a fire occurs, they’ll be able to evacuate quickly.

Unobstructed Exits

Make sure that any fire doors at emergency exits are in full working order at all times and are not blocked. Doors should be regularly inspected by the building or factory owner, as well as local fire experts to ensure they are working.

Safely Store All Cleaning Supplies and Chemicals

If your factory deals with any flammable chemicals you need to be sure that your employees know how to safely use and store them. Make training sessions mandatory, even for long standing employees, in order to keep staff educated.

Want to ensure that your factory is as safe as possible? Davis Ulmer provides the highest level of expertise, quality, customer service, and satisfaction in the fire protection and security industry. We work with customers throughout the Northeast corner of the United States.

Importance of Owning a Fire Extinguisher

The large majority of people do not have fire extinguishers in their home regardless of the fact that house fires happen on a daily basis.

However, owning a fire extinguisher can save your life and your property from an accidental house fire.

Although a fire extinguisher might not be able to put a house fire out but it can at least control the flames enough to give you time to get out. Household fire extinguishers are typically classified as an A, B, C, or a combination of the three letters. They are labeled to indicate what type of fire they are meant to put out such as ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, or electrical.

However, many fire extinguishers are a combination and will put out multiple kinds of fires.

The size of a fire extinguisher matters. A bigger fire extinguisher is going to be capable of putting out a larger fire. However, large fire extinguishers can be heavy, making them difficult for many people to lift and use. If you are going to purchase a fire extinguisher for your home, it’s important to have one that you’re able to maneuver.

A 5-pound fire extinguisher works well in a kitchen where you’ll likely notice the fire immediately. However, a 10-pound extinguisher is best for a garage or workshop where the fire might become large before becoming noticeable.

The National Fire Protection Association does suggest having a fire extinguisher on every floor of your home.

Many people don’t have a fire extinguisher because they aren’t sure how to operate one, therefore, they can’t justify owning it. However, fire extinguishers come equipped with detailed instructions no how to operate them. You can also typically find instructional videos online or you can give your local fire department a call with questions you might have.

If you want to ensure that you’re protecting your family against a house fire, contact Davis Ulmer to get a residential sprinkler system installed. We are your local fire protection company that can help you get the fire protection you need for your peace of mind. We work with customers in the Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and surrounding areas. Contact us today for more info.

Staying Safe with Space Heaters

During the winter months, we are all desperate to stay as warm and cozy as we can. In order to stay warm in winter months, you might need something more than your standard home heating system. Many people use a variety of heating units in winter months, including space heaters. Space heaters are a convenient heating unit that provides plenty of warmth in small spaces.

Most space heaters run on electricity while others are fuel-fired. Regardless of the type of space heater, the large majority of them can get extremely hot. You should always have your space he heater on a flat surface, primarily on the ground, and far from anything that could catch fire easily.

Unfortunately, fires happen frequently during winter months and many of them are due to the improper use of space heaters. There are several different ways to safely utilize the convenient heat from a space heater:

Keep the Little Ones Clear

First and foremost, keep children away from the space heater. You should be teaching young children about the dangers of space heaters as soon as they are old enough to understand. Educating children on fire safety is very important.

Set Up is Important

Make sure that you keep your space heater at least three feet away from flammable materials such as curtains, bedding, toilet paper, towels, and other flammable items.

Let It Be Alone

You should not plug a space heater into an outlet where other electrical appliances are plugged in. Too many appliances plugged into one outlet result in overheating which can also result in electrical fires.

Turn It Off

You should never leave a space heater running while you are asleep or while you are not home. It is important that you focus on turning it off whenever necessary or purchase one with one safety features such as an automatic shut-off option.

If you want to protect your residential or commercial space from fires, contact Davis-Ulmer Fire Protection Systems. We are your full-service fire protection company serving New York and surrounding states.

Making Your Rental Property Fire Safe

As a landlord, you have a lot of responsibilities that you need to keep in mind at all times.

One of the most important ones is doing everything within your power to ensure that your rental properties are as “fireproof” as possible. There’s no guarantee that a fire won’t ever affect one of your properties due to an accident but you can do your best to prevent them and to make sure that they are extinguished quickly in the event that they do take place.

About once every year, you should inspect your properties and do a fire risk assessment to gauge any potential risks that could result in fires.

You should make sure the electrical systems are up to code, check to see that fire extinguishers are functional and present within the properties, and take a look at the types of furniture that are being used in your rental homes and/or apartments. Furniture made out of fire resistant materials is always your best bet.

Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order.

Additionally, you should make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and in working order within your rental properties. If a fire ever takes place, these detectors could help save lives and reduce the damage that is done to your properties.

You should also consider installing sprinkler systems inside of the properties that will kick on if a fire ever starts

Just make sure you have routine maintenance done on these systems so that you know they are ready to turn on at the first sign of danger.

It can be hard to keep an eye on a large number of rental properties at one time in an effort to prevent fires.

Davis Ulmer can help give you the peace of mind that comes along with knowing you have done everything you can do to reduce the risk of fires in your properties.

Request a quote from us today and find out more about how we can help make your properties safer. We are the full-service fire protection company that works with properties all over the Northeast region of the United States.

How To Teach Children Fire Safety

It is vital that you teach your children about fire safety at home. Your children should understand what to do in the event of a fire and how to protect themselves against a fire.

Establish an Escape Route

In the event of a house fire, your family should have an established escape plan that you all understand. Your children should know how to get out of each room in your home and how to do so safely. You should establish a meeting point outside, far enough away from the house, so your children know where to meet you once they get outside.

Functioning Windows

You should make sure that your windows can be easily opened by your child and that the screen can be removed easily. You should help your children practice opening and closing the windows in case they had to it by themselves in the event of a fire. Bedroom windows never should be sealed shut or incapable of opening. Many fires happen overnight and they may need that window to get out.

Understand Smoke Detectors

Your children should understand where your smoke detectors are in your home and how they work. They should be familiar with the sound the smoke detector makes so they can recognize it in the event that it is going off. As the adult, you need to ensure that batteries are regularly replaced and the detectors are tested.

Checking for Signs

You should teach your children how to check one side of a door to see if a fire could be burning on the other side. Children should understand how to feel for a fire through a door and be able to establish if there is one. You should also help children find alternative routes out of rooms if a fire is on the other side of their door, especially their bedroom.

Staying Outside

Children need to understand that they should stay out of the burning house once they are safely outside. Many children want to run back inside for pets or toys because they don’t understand the danger of the fire inside. You should make it clear to children that they should not go back inside for absolutely anything once they are outside safely.

These hints are just several points that you should be covering with your children on fire safety. For more fire news and advice, visit Davis Ulmer’s blog. Davis-Ulmer Sprinkler Company is your full-service fire protection company serving New York and surrounding states.

Practice Fireplace Safety this Winter

As cold temperatures get settled in for a long winter’s nap, many of us start to settle in by our fireplace. Many people use their fireplaces frequently in the winter months and something about a fireplace can make a home feel so cozy. However, it is important to understand how to keep your home safe while using your fireplace.

Double Check Safety Devices

If you are planning to use your fireplace this winter, be sure to test your smoke alarms beforehand. If you don’t remember the last time you replaced the batteries, you should do so now. You should be confident that all of your alarms, including a carbon monoxide alarm, are working properly. You should also have a small fire extinguisher on hand in case of emergencies.

Install Safety Screens

If you have young children, or you have young children visiting this holiday season, it is important to have a safety screen installed on your fireplace. Fire screens will keep little hands from reaching into the fire or getting too close to the actual fire itself. The materials surrounding your fireplace, such as glass or metal, can also get extremely hot and will stay hot for hours after the fire is out. Safety screens will also prevent embers from popping out of the fire and into a room, which is especially good if you might leave the room unattended.

Keep Area Clear

If you have a fireplace, you should make sure that the area surrounding your fireplace is cleared out. Many people are guilty of putting gifts around the fireplace to serve as a decoration. Other people often put their Christmas tree right next to their fireplace. You should never put a single thing in close proximity to your fireplace while it’s functioning. You should keep all things, from books, to decorations, to curtains, a safe distance away from your fireplace. Many common household items are flammable and the temperature of the fire itself could cause them to react.

If you are going to use your fireplace this winter, you should do whatever you can in order to make it operate as safely as possible. If you are looking to fireproof your home this winter, let Davis Ulmer assist you. We are your local fire protection company that can assist you in getting the fire protection you need for peace of mind this winter season. We work with customers in the Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and surrounding areas. Contact us today for more info.

How to Plan Workplace Emergency and Evacuation Responses

Having an emergency action plan (EAP) is critical for every workplace. However, just having a plan in place isn’t enough. You also need trained individuals who can coordinate and supervise employees in order to ensure a safe evacuation.

In addition, your EAP must be up-to-date, and all of your employees must be trained before an actual evacuation ever happens. Being prepared is the best way to guarantee safety during an emergency.

fire action emergency procedure

4 Steps To A Successful Emergency Action Plan:

Develop a site-specific emergency action plan

While a simple plan will work in small offices and stores, more complex plans are needed in workplaces that contain hazard materials or where employees perform rescue and/or medical duties. Getting employees involved in the planning process is beneficial to ensure everyone is properly trained.

Put someone in charge

Make sure the employee you select to coordinate your emergency action plan is responsible. Also, your other employees should be made aware of who is in charge of your EAP, so they know who has the authority to make decisions during emergencies.

Train your employees

It is critical to train enough people to help in the safe evacuation of your employees. These employees should be retrained each year to keep the plan fresh in their minds. Practice drills are a great way to keep employees prepared. Invite local fire and police departments to the drills for further advice.

Review and post your EAP

After your plan is developed, and your employees are trained and prepared, review it with your staff and post your plan in an easily accessible location in the workplace. It is also a good idea to have outside emergency responders review your plan. When you have personnel changes in your workplace, make sure the new employees are aware of the emergency action plan.

What Should Be in an Emergency Action Plan?

A good Emergency Action Plan is designed to keep people safe. Some important components of this plan include:

Procedures for emergency evacuation
Procedures for employees who stay behind to tend to critical operations before evacuating
Procedures for accounting for all employees after evacuation
Procedures for employees performing medical or rescue duties
Means of reporting a fire or other emergencies

Safely Evacuate With the Help of Fire Alarms

Davis-Ulmer Fire Protection is a full-service fire protection company and works with customers throughout the Northeast corner of the United States. We can design and install fire alarm and detection systems that warn your employees and building occupants of a fire early on so they can safely evacuate the building. To learn more, contact us today.

Domino’s Pizza Helping to Spread the Word About Fire Safety

family eating pizza If you are a fan of Domino’s Pizza, you may have already noticed the newest addition to the company’s takeout pizza boxes – a flyer full of fire safety tips that reminds customers to check their smoke detectors’ batteries when they turn their clocks forward for daylight saving time this weekend.

The flyer was created in conjunction with the National Fire Protection Association and will run throughout the month of March to help spread the word to families throughout the US.

CHECK YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS

With 38 percent of home fire deaths occurring in homes without smoke detectors and another 21 percent occurring in homes with dead or malfunctioning ones, it is extremely important to take time to check your smoke detector regularly and change its batteries when they run low. This simple check takes less than a minute of your time and could end up saving your life and the lives of the ones you love.

DOMINO’S PIZZA TEAMS UP WITH NFPA

For more than eight years, Domino’s has been teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to help prevent home fires, and this year we at Davis-Ulmer would like to add another item to your daylight savings to-do list. If you have not yet had your fire sprinkler maintenance performed this year, please take a few moments to schedule your annual sprinkler check-up.

Don’t have a sprinkler system installed in your home? Spring is the perfect time to plan an installation. To learn more about Davis-Ulmer’s services and to request a quote, visit us online or contact the location nearest you. We serve New York and the surrounding states.

Spring Ahead with Spring Maintenance

testing smoke detector Spring is the perfect time of year to get a fresh start and take care of a few tasks around the office that you’ve been putting off, especially when it comes to fire sprinkler maintenance. If you own or manage any type of commercial property, you can take advantage of a number of preventative services offered by the team at Davis-Ulmer. There are a number of issues that may have cropped up throughout the winter, all of which we can identify and solve before they become a larger problem in your building.

ROUTINELY CHECK YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS

No matter what time of year it is, testing all of the smoke detectors throughout your building is a smart idea. This is especially true if you’ve noticed one has been beeping or you simply haven’t inspected them in a while. Testing other alarms in your building, including CO2 detectors, can also be done at the same time allowing you to check several things off the to-do list at once.

GET A FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM INSPECTION DONE BY THE EXPERTS

While inspecting the sprinkler systems around your building can be done any time throughout the year, having a professional look at them in the spring is typically a smart idea. That’s because some systems are prone to freezing throughout the winter, especially if there have been several days where the temperature dropped below freezing. Inspecting your whole system in the spring allows you to check everything over for any signs of damage, allowing you to have peace of mind that if needed, they’ll be ready to handle any fire problem.

REPAIR IF POSSIBLE, REPLACE IF NOT

If any aspects of your fire sprinkler system need to be repaired or replaced, the professional team at Davis-Ulmer can take care of the job in no time. Not only do we offer inspection and testing on all systems in your building, we can also install new systems as needed.

These are just a few of the reasons that spring is a great time to have a professional ensure your building’s fire protection systems are in working order. Request a quote today from Davis-Ulmer or call the emergency service number in your area if you need immediate assistance. We are your full-service fire protection company serving New York and surrounding states.

Brush Up on Cooking Fire Safety Before Thanksgiving

avoid cooking fires on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just a week away, and since cooking is the number one cause of home fires and injuries, it is important to take a few moments to think about fire safety this holiday season. With a wide array of dishes to prepare and a whole bunch of family members milling about, it is important to watch your stovetop – and what you place near it – on Thanksgiving Day.

Stay in the Kitchen

Even though Thanksgiving Day is a busy time, it is important to stay in the kitchen, keeping an eye on the stove, while you are cooking. With guests to greet and a table to set, we recommend asking someone close to you to help out with the cooking. Enlist your mom or your sister to join you in the kitchen and make sure that one of you remains in the room at all times when the stove is on. This way, you will be able to play hostess and prevent any kitchen mishaps from getting out of hand.

Keep Flammable Materials Out of the Way

Pay close attention to what you allow near the stove, since wooden utensils, oven mitts, towels and place mats can all catch fire quickly. When you do need to use these items, do so with care and be sure to set them down a safe distance from the flames.

Make the Kitchen a “Kid-Free” Zone

Preparing dinner with kids under foot is always tough, but it is especially difficult on the holidays when there are so many extra little ones running around! Before you get started on dinner, remind everyone that the kitchen is a “kid-free” zone and set them up with plenty of toys, games and snacks in another room. This way, the chances of bumping into things is greatly decreased.

Happy Thanksgiving from Davis Ulmer, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday with your loved ones!

For fire safety advice and information on home and business sprinkler systems, contact us online. We are your full-service fire protection company serving New York and surrounding states.