Skip to main content

Were Your Holiday Decorations a Fire Hazard? Get them In-Check for 2018

Happy New Year! The holidays are officially over. Were your office holiday decorations safe for work in 2017? While they may not have created a fire hazard this year, it is important you learn and avoid common fire hazards in 2018. As experts in fire protection systems for Columbus and the surrounding areas, Hard Fire is here to offer important safety tips to keep in mind for next year.

First, before starting the process of decorating your office for the holidays, it's a good idea to verify that all of your fire safety equipment is in proper working order. Make sure that your smoke detectors are working, and verify that the fire extinguishers are easily accessible. If you need assistance with this step, don’t hesitate to contact the experts in fire protection systems; Hard Fire.

Next, be mindful of potential fire hazards when selecting holiday decorations and determining where to place them. Don’t block any fire safety equipment, exit signage or exits with holiday décor or lights. Avoid placing Christmas trees, gifts, or decorations in heavily trafficked areas where people might trip over them. Do not place any type of decorative items in exit corridors or over sprinklers.

If you must include lights, make sure you use lights that have been tested for safety. Look for a certification mark from UL, CSA, ETL or other nationally-recognized laboratories. Consider using LED lights when possible. LED lights run cooler and use less energy than incandescent lights. Double check lights for frayed wires or cracks, and be sure there is a bulb in each socket. Discard and replace any damaged strands. Never place staples or nails through strings of lights, power cords, or extension cords. Never exceed the maximum number of strings or devices that may be linked together. And always turn off or even unplug all lights and other electric décor before leaving for the night.

When decorating outside, keep ladders and decorations away from overhead power lines. And these are just a few of the ways to avoid unsafe decorating this holiday season. For more tips on safe holiday decorating, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We can come out to test your fire protection systems and even install a new system if you’d like.

Are you ready to learn more about fire protection systems for your Columbus area business in 2018? Call us at Hard Fire at 800-848-1301 or 614-882-2990 or you can Contact Us.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Difference Between Fire Detection and Industrial Fire Suppression

In the world of fire safety, detection and suppression are two critical components of a complete protection strategy—especially in industrial environments. At Hard Fire, we often speak with facility managers and safety professionals who want to better understand how these systems differ and why both are essential. Knowing how detection and suppression work—individually and together—can help protect lives, safeguard assets and reduce downtime. When you need industrial fire suppression in Cleveland , trust the experts at Hard Fire. Fire Detection: The First Line of Defense Fire detection systems are designed to identify the earliest signs of a fire—smoke, heat or flames—and alert personnel and emergency responders immediately. These systems often include: Smoke detectors Heat detectors Flame detectors Air sampling systems Once activated, detection systems can trigger alarms, emergency lighting and communication tools to support a safe and swift evacuation. In industrial facilit...

Minimum requirements for fire alarms in Ohio

It can be difficult to know what needs to go into installing fire alarms in your Ohio business if you don't understand the regulations involved. The Ohio fire code has basic code requirements, so you can avoid false alarms, costly fines and dangerous situations. The minimum requirements for keeping your fire alarms in good standing with Ohio regulations include: Having your fire alarm systems serviced and tested on an annual basis (although dirty/dusty locations might necessitate more frequent checks) Per OSHA requirements: Written evacuation policy Annual fire drills A way to notify occupants of problems like fire, hazardous weather or workplace violence Full supervision of the system Monthly testing The basic building code in Ohio requires fire alarm systems to be installed wherever large groups gather, like churches or theaters, and in structures where evacuations might prove difficult (nursing homes, etc.). If you have questions about fire alarm re...

Essential Fire Protection Safety Tips for Businesses

The proper protection of your residents or employees, property and assets is a legitimate concern for any business owner. At Hard Fire, our focus is on helping you protect them. When you’re ready to hire the professionals, we can design a system using the best fire suppression agents and fire protection system components for your specific business. We will develop all specs and drawings needed for your project and get set up with a great fire protection plan.  Until then, as experts in fire protection for Canton and the surrounding areas, we’ve have put together a list of some safety tips we find essential for all businesses. Have a Plan – Put a fire emergency plan in place even before a fire emergency strikes. Be sure that you have a detailed plan that all of your employees or residents understand how to execute. It can even be a good idea to have a practice run just to ensure everyone is on the same page. Appliance Safety Instruction – Make sure all employees and re...