Nursing Home Safety Part 2: Fire Emergency Tips For Nursing Home Staff
Be proactive in the safety of your nursing home facility
We always want the best for our elderly loved ones. Although we want to care for them ourselves and keep them safely at home, sometimes that is just not possible. There are times when we have to rely on nursing homes for our elderly loved ones. In this instance, their safety is one of our top priorities.
Part 1 of this topic focused on safety tips for family members and some of the things you should look for when choosing the best nursing home for your loved ones. This article, part 2, intends to give some insight into the ways in which the nursing home staff can stay prepared. Since life safety is so important, both in general and with regards to nursing homes, proactive steps need to be taken to ensure safety for the residents.
The important thing for nursing home staff of all levels to remember is that residents may not be able to evacuate themselves due to limited mobility or other disabilities. Adequate planning and quick response times are key components to the safety of the residents. Here are some suggestions.
•Make sure that the building is well maintained. Everything from loose ceiling tiles, to outdated electrical wiring to rusty pipes can pose safety issues of sorts.
• Be sure that the fire alarm services and the sprinkler alarm services up to code and maintained on a regular basis. This will be especially important in the event of a fire in the nursing home.
•Is housekeeping up to par? Make sure that exits and hallways are not blocked by anything in case an evacuation emergency arises.
•Test smoke detectors on a regular basis and change batteries as needed.
• Be sure there is an emergency evacuation plan in place. Your facility needs to have written fire procedures in place. These procedures should be kept on the premises and made available to all staff. Additionally, each member of the staff should be clear about the role(s) they are responsible for carrying out during an emergency.
• Review and practice your fire procedures and emergency evacuation plan on a regular basis.
•Be sure that your suppression systems, (fire extinguishers, etc.) are inspected and maintained on a regular basis.
•Maintain your kitchen fire system and keep hoods clean.
•Establish an agreed upon code or phrase that will be recognized by all staff members as an indication of a fire emergency.
•In the event of a fire emergency, be sure to call out the fire code or phrase over a paging system or loud speaker to ensure that all staff members here it.
•Go to the nearest pull station and activate the fire alarm.
•Once all this has been done, close doors to the residents rooms, (evacuate residents from the rooms first) and close other appropriate doors to contain the smoke and fire.
•Be sure to evacuate everyone on the premises to a safe distance from the building and do not reenter until you have been told it’s safe to do so by the fire department!
These are just some things to consider. You may come up with additional safety protocols and procedures questions to ask based on the age and size of the nursing home.
For more information on Nursing Home safety, I suggest looking to the NFPA.
Nursing Home Safety Part 1: Fire Emergency Tips For Families
Keep your loved ones safe
We always want the best for our elderly loved ones. Although we want to care for them ourselves and keep them safely at home, sometimes that is just not possible. There are times when we have to rely on nursing homes for our elderly loved ones. In this instance, their safety is one of our top priorities.
Although you cannot run the chosen nursing home, you may have options regarding where your loved ones go. If you do, be sure to choose wisely, asking the Administrator many questions. Here are some things to look for and to ask about regarding safety.
•Is the building well maintained? Are the fire alarm services up to code and maintained on a regular basis?
•Is housekeeping up to par? Make sure that exits and hallways are not blocked by anything in case an evacuation emergency arises.
•Are safety systems in place such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and sprinklers?
•Be sure there is an emergency evacuation plan in place. Find out how often it is practiced and by whom.
•What is the overall staff to patient ratio? What is the ratio per shift, especially during the middle of the night? What is the ratio on holidays? Is the number of staff sufficient to evacuate all the residents at any given time?
•Do you get a sense of honesty and integrity when speaking with the Administrator or the Admissions Coordinator? Do you feel like they are willing to answer your questions openly and will take your recommendations to heart?
•What are the rules or guidelines for smoking? Are they supervised even though they are outside?
These are just some things to consider. You may come up with additional safety questions to ask based on the needs of your loved ones. After all, we must remember that many residents in a nursing home cannot get out of a building unattended in the event of a fire emergency. As such, safety truly becomes an extremely important issue.
For more information on Nursing Home safety, I suggest looking to the NFPA.
Fire Facts & Figures For Hotels & Motels
Play it safe & enjoy your stay
Everyone wants to feel comfortable when staying at a hotel or motel. Whether you’re there for business or pleasure, no one wants to think that their place of lodging is unsafe. For the most part, you’ve got nothing to worry about, but you may want to ask some questions regarding the age, condition, fire sprinkler services and fire protection systems while you’re making your reservation.
Check out these facts and figures provided by the NFPA:
•Between 2003-2007, fire departments across the US responded to an estimated average of 3,970 fires in hotels and motels.
•Theses fires caused an average of 11 civilian deaths and 151 injuries.
•During this time period, 1 out of every 12 hotels or motels reported a fire.
•95% of these fires were caused accidentally.
•5% were set intentionally.
•11% of reported hotel fires started in bedrooms
•Smoking materials caused 6% of these fires and accounted for the majority of deaths, (72%).
•Cooking equipment was also a leading cause of hotel and motel fires.
•91% of sprinklers in hotels and motels operated effectively. However, this only accounts for hotels and motels that had a fire sprinkler at that time. Today, it is a requirement to have fire sprinkler systems installed, maintained and properly functioning in such buildings. This, among other fire prevention equipment is most important in helping to save lives and decrease property damage during a fire emergency.
For more information on hotel and motel facts and figures, I suggest the National Fire Protection Agency.
Tidbits For Fire Safety Training
In a previous post, I talked about tips for increasing fire safety awareness in the workplace. Now I’d like to share some tidbits of information directly related to the training process.
Once you have your employees’ attention, make sure that they understand why fire safety training is so important. It’s not only valuable information “just in case”, it’s also mandated training per OSHA in many cases. Try these tips:
• You can show the seriousness of fire damage with pictures. By showing your employees actual pictures of property damage as a result of fire, they’ll have a more realistic basis of knowledge. If you choose to show pictures of fatalities due to fire, just make sure they’re not too gorey. You don’t want your employees to have nightmares or to worry that this will happen to them at work.
• Give your employees all the facts, but do so in small amounts. As with anything, too much information at once can cause information overload. Once that occurs, people tend to start tuning out the speaker or presentation.
• Basic information should include things like emergency phone numbers and the escape route map and plan. This information, along with other basic safety tips should be reviewed at least quarterly to keep it fresh in their minds. This is also a good time to introduce additional pertinent information such as fire alarm systems and fire suppression systems.
Just remember that where safety is involved, some knowledge is always better than no knowledge and more knowledge on a continuous basis is even better. Be safe, not sorry! For more information on safety tips, check out the safety expert, Ben Griston.
Good Practices for Fire Alarm Monitoring
We all know that good practices for fire alarm monitoring are essential to the safety of your employees and your facility assets. But we also know that in times of recession, everything comes down to the bottom line and the almighty dollar. If something, a sign, a piece of equipment or additional staff for instance is not a necessity, it will likely be put on the back burner until it is feasible to justify the cost. If something is not mandatory, it may be considered incidental or even frivolous in tough economic times. Hopefully, life safety equipment and the like are not in this group where company money is concerned.
Most companies do not and/or cannot handle fire safety monitoring internally. Generally, companies outsource this important job. So what should you look for when hiring a fire alarm company? The first thing you want to do is to look around for a company, preferably locally, that offers specific, but overall fire alarm services. Always make sure that you are comparing apples to apples when obtaining multiple quotes. Pricing will vary among companies, but as a general rule, you get what you pay for!
Make sure that the company you choose does the following things:
• Has a proven track record of success. Make sure the company has been in business for whatever amount of time you are comfortable with and that the technicians are properly licensed. Get references from other companies in the area or in your industry to find out their reputation. We all know that word of mouth, both positive and negative, goes a long way in the decision making process.
• Provides preventative routine maintenance. This includes inspections and testing at specified intervals to ensure the alarm system is functioning properly. The company should also know when laws and standards change and be on top of the changes as they occur. It doesn’t do you a bit of good to install fire equipment if it’s not going to be kept up with, therefore running the risk of becoming obsolete. You may also be fined for compliance failure.
• Reviews the contract thoroughly with you before you sign it. If you have any questions or concerns, now is definitely the time to ask. Make sure everything you expect is in the written agreement and that pricing for each service is broken down to bare bones. Have the company identify items or services that are mandatory vs. optional.
Monitoring a company’s fire alarm system is a huge job, so find the right company to handle it! This is just a few helpful tips to get you headed in the right direction. Remember that most likely there is some discretion as to who can be contracted to do such work. Do yourself and your company a favor by picking someone you trust to get the job done right. It could save lives some day!
Increasing Safety Awareness in the Workplace Will Help Save Lives
There are so many things that can happen in the workplace and so many variables that come into play in the event of a fire emergency. Many of these variables result from the size of the company. Are you and your employees properly prepared for such an emergency?
With all the daily activities involved in running a business, fire safety may not be something employees think about on a regular basis, or perhaps even at all. So what’s the best way to combat this issue? There are several things you can do to increase awareness. Try some of the following:
•Consider adding a section about fire safety in your orientation process and add it to the human resources checklist so that you know it’s been done.
•Make sure your employees realize the seriousness of fire safety. Be sure to show them where the fire alarms and fire extinguishers are located throughout the facility. Give them a copy of the emergency plan and exit route(s) and have them sign off that they’ve read or reviewed this information.
•Provide monthly, quarterly or semi-annual training classes on fire safety. Training might include OSHA regulations, NFPA standards and a review of the company fire emergency protocol.
•Provide all employees with pertinent information such as all emergency contact names and numbers within the company. You should also provide instructions for your central monitoring station if you have one. Have everyone keep this information somewhere handy in their offices and cubicles. This will ensure easy retrieval if needed.
•Have frequent and random fire drills. If employees haven’t absorbed all the written information you’ve given them, at least they’ll get a feel for what will happen and what they need to do during a real fire.
Of course there are additional ways to increase safety awareness in the workplace. These are just a few tips to help you get started. The bottom line is that any information and training you provide to your employees is beneficial. But all the money you’ve spent and the time you’ve invested in safety equipment and signs won’t be worth squat if you don’t share the applicable information with your employees!
When Away at Play, Remember to Practice Good Fire Safety Habits
Observe the same safety rules on vacation that you would at home
You’ve got everything in check at home. You know where the fire extinguishers are located and your family has a strategy in place in the event of a fire emergency. You’ve planned your emergency exit and have practiced it to perfection. But, what about when you’re not in the comfort of your own home?
When people go on vacation, they are likely to go into “vacation mode”. You know what I mean; all troubles and stresses temporarily disappear. It’s all about having fun, disconnecting from stressors and regrouping. General safety is always a concern, but how often do we think we’ll be involved in a fire emergency while in Disney World? I suspect it’s not on the forefront of our minds!
While we shouldn’t let fire safety consume us when we’re on vacation, we should be aware of our surroundings, (just like we would be at home). Would you know what to do in the event of a fire emergency in a hotel? Hopefully you’ll never have to worry about this, but it’s a good idea to be as prepared as possible. For instance, confirm ahead of time, (while making reservations), if the rooms are protected by both a smoke alarm and a fire sprinkler system. And once you arrive, you should review the escape plan posted in your room. It is usually found on the inside of the door or on the wall closest to the door. You should also make note of the nearest fire extinguisher.
Here are some additional tips on hotel safety from the NFPA:
•Take the time to find the exits and count the number of doors between your room and the exit. Make sure the exit doors are unlocked.
•If the fire alarm sounds, leave the room right away and close the door behind you.
•Be sure to take your room key with you.
•If there is a lot of smoke, get as low to the ground as possible to make your exit under the smoke.
If you are unable to leave your room due to a fire, do the following:
•If there are any fans or air conditioners on, shut them off.
•Stuff wet towels around the cracks in the door.
•Call the fire department to let them know your exact location.
•Stand at the window and signal with a flash light or light colored clothing.
These recommendations do not apply to vacationers only. If you’re likely to travel for work, get into the habit of doing these things as well. Have fun. Be safe!
Deadly Statistics Speak Volumes about Fire Safety
It’s probably safe to say that in 2010, buildings and structures of all kinds are constructed with an emphasis on safety. We are better equipped to handle life safety emergencies in today’s day and age. Eliminating such hazards all together would be ideal, however it’s not realistic. Between OSHA regulations, time, commitment and better building materials, we’re certainly on the right path to safety. But let’s take a look back over the past 60 years.
Some of the deadliest fires since 1950 have involved healthcare facilities for older adults. Such facilities included nursing homes, boarding homes and convalescent homes. According to statistics provided by the NFPA, here’s the breakdown of the top 10 deadliest fires in this category in the United States:
•Out of a total 690 reported residents, 335 were killed during 1950-2003. (1 facility had an unreported number of residents).
•3 of these fires occurred in the 1950’s, while one 1 fire occurred in the 21st century. (Statistics noted are thru 2003).
•2 fires occurred in the 1960’s.
•2 fires occurred in the 1970’s.
•2 fires occurred in the 1980’s.
The breakdown by state is as follows:
•2 fires occurred in OH, MO and NJ.
•1 fire occurred in IL, WA, CT and FL.
The U.S. isn’t the only country victimized by deadly fires. Across the world, we know that during the same time period foreign facilities faced the following statistics:
•Out of a total 941 reported residents, 474 were killed during 1950-2003. (3 facilities had an unreported number of residents).
•1 fire occurred in the 1950’s.
•1 fire occurred in the 1960’s.
•3 fires occurred in the 1970’s.
•5 fires occurred in the 1980’s.
•1 fire occurred in the 21st century, in July, 2000.
The statistics for foreign facilities actually include 11 fires because 3 of them took the lives of 17 people.
The breakdown by country is as follows:
•4 fires occurred in Canada.
•2 fires occurred in France and Japan.
•1 fire occurred in the UK, Jamaica, Finland and Costa Rica.
National and international statistics such as these can really paint a better picture of what’s happened over time. Let’s hope that we’ll see less and less of these tragedies in the future. For more information on this topic, see NFPA files on major fire incidents.
More Choices to Extinguish Your Flames Properly
Choose the right extinguisher for each class
As discussed in an earlier post, fires can be a combination of classes. As a direct result of this, it is extremely important to where and what your immediate fire hazards are. Identifying hazards will allow you to properly choose the best fire extinguisher to keep on hand and to utilize if necessary. In addition to what’s been discussed previously, two more choices to consider are CO2 extinguishers and Metal/Sand extinguishers.
Unlike dry chemical extinguishers, CO2 extinguishers do not leave behind the messy, but non flammable blanket on the extinguished material. CO2 or carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are best suited for class B and C fires. They are not good for class A materials, (wood, paper, etc.), specifically because they are likely to reignite.CO2 extinguishers are good for computers and other electrical fires. They should never be used on flammable metal fires, because CO2 will react negatively. Examples of this are Alkyllithiums, Grignard reagents and sodium metal. CO2 extinguishers are definitely not approved for class D fires.
The other distinguishing characteristic of the CO2 extinguisher is the carbon dioxide itself. Since carbon dioxide is a condensable gas, theses extinguishers do not have pressure gauges. So how do you know if the extinguisher is empty? There should be an empty weight stamped on the cylinder. In the event that you use the extinguisher, weigh it after use. Subtract the empty weight from the current weight and you’ll be able to determine the remaining amount of CO2.
Metal/Sand extinguishers are approved for class D fires, which are flammable metals. There are several extinguishing agents that fall into this class. Sodium Chloride is among the most popular. For a more comprehensive list of approved class D extinguishers and their uses, I recommend visiting Safety Emporium’s website.
Once again, with so many options available to you, it’s important to know the differences and the primary or approved class or classes for each type of extinguisher. The choices you make may be instrumental in saving lives in the event of a fire emergency.
Wet or Dry; What’s the Better Choice for Fire?
Choose the right extinguisher for the right class
As with most things in life, there’s more than one way to extinguish your flames. But what are the best options and when do we use them? The answer really depends on the class type fire you are dealing with. For example, there are dry chemical extinguishers, water extinguishers and water mist extinguishers. The variances among these extinguisher types determine which kind to use.
Dry chemical extinguishers are rated for either class BC or class ABC. They are general purpose fire extinguishers; the best all around choice for common fire situations. They leave a coating of non-flammable material which reduces the likelihood that the extinguished fire will reignite. Type BC extinguishers contain potassium bicarbonate or sodium, whereas type ABC contains ammonium phosphate.
Dry chemical extinguishers can be corrosive to some metals, including aluminum, and are potentially abrasive too. As a result, dry chemical extinguishers should not be used for fires involving aircraft. The only time you should use this is if the aircraft is fully engulfed in flames and/or people are in danger. At that point, the corrosive potential from the extinguisher won’t matter. Dry chemical ABC extinguishers should also not be used on electronic devices such as magnetic equipment and computers.
Water extinguishers are suitable for class A fires, which include paper, wood and the like. They are not suitable for class B, C and D. Inclusive in these categories are electrical fires, reactive metal fires and burning liquids. Using a water extinguisher in these cases can cause the flames to spread and create an even greater hazard!
Water mist extinguishers are used on class A fires where there is also the potential of a class C fire or hazard. This extinguisher distinguishes itself by a misting nozzle. This misting nozzle provides electric shock safety and reduces the risk of spreading burning materials. For this reason, a water mist extinguisher is recommended for fires of books and other paper documents. It is also used in hospital environments and more specifically, non-magnetic water mist extinguishers are used on MRI facilities.
Additional types of fire extinguishers include CO2 and metal/sand extinguishers. These have different uses that will be discussed further in a separate post. In the mean time, pay close attention to the potential hazards around you. Knowing what type of extinguisher to have on hand ensures that you’ll use the correct kind in the event of a fire emergency.