The United States and Canada recently observed Fire Prevention Week. Here are seven statistics relating to fires in the workplace and at home.
Fire Prevention Week has been recognized every October since 1922 (1923 in Canada) in memory of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which killed more than 250 people, left 10,000 homeless and destroyed some 17,400 structures. To help you with preventing fires, here are seven statistics relating to fires in the workplace and home:
- Chemicals, electricity, combustible materials, flammable liquids, smoking, compressed gases and poor housekeeping are seven major contributors to workplace fires.
- Four things your employees need to know about fire safety are: the location of two emergency exits closest to their work areas; the location of the nearest fire alarm pull station and how to use it; the emergency number to call (911 or otherwise) in case of a workplace fire; and what they need to do if a workplace fire breaks out.
- About 200 workers die in workplace fires each year across the US. (OSHA)
- Fires kill about eight people in Canada each week. (Fire Prevention Canada)
- Two out of five home fires start in the kitchen. (National Fire Protection Association)
- About 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year in the US. (Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness)
- Coffee makers, space heaters and hotplates left on while no one is in the office are three significant contributors to workplace fires. (Fire Prevention Canada)