It’s time for a fire safety in September recap!
As we come to the end of the month, we must look at all of our resources that help us better understand fire safety. This means educating ourselves about the latest safety updates on the wildfires in California, the specific questions you should be asking a fire protection consultant, and how to best prepare for power outages during California heat waves.
Read further for more details.
Wildfires in California: Latest Updates to Be Prepared and Safe
Right now, California is in more danger than ever before. With COVID-19 cases still widespread, and wildfires starting in multiple areas, there’s more to be aware of too.
Currently, California has the most COVID-19 cases nationwide. It’s the first state to surpass 600,000 cases nationwide, with over 10,000 Californians dying to the disease. Because of this, residents are still being cautious of the virus, even in the face of wildfires.
This has caused problems for those needing to evacuate from their homes. In regular times, residents would evacuate to a predesignated safe space, such as a school, where they could wait out the fires. With COVID-19 so common though, many are afraid to stay in the buildings. There have been reports of evacuees sleeping in their cars, as they’re so concerned about catching or spreading the illness themselves.
If you need to evacuate, you need to know where to go. Evacuation zones will still need to stick to social distancing guidelines, and require wearing masks. Check your nearest shelter to see what protections they are putting in place.
It’s also important to include supplies like masks and hand sanitizer in your evacuation kit, so you’re ready when you get to the shelter.
6 Questions to Ask a Fire Protection Consultant
Are you looking to hire a fire protection consultant? When reviewing your candidates, you need to ask the right questions. These questions will determine how experienced and qualified the protection consultant is, and what they can do to help you.
For starters, ask if the fire protection consultant is a member of NFPA, NAFED, or FSSA. They don’t have to be a member of any of them if they’re going to offer fire protection help. However, being a member of at least one is going to be to your advantage.
When they’re a member, they’ll be able to stay up to date with all legislation around fire safety. That benefits you, as they’ll pass along the important knowledge.
It’s also worth asking about the work they do in the industry:
- Are they publishing literature on safety standards, or presenting at conferences?
- Do they offer training?
If they’re active in the industry and the community, then that’s a good sign that they can surely help you out.
California Heat Waves: How to Prepare For a Power Outage
Right now, California is experiencing extreme heat waves, which are causing all types of issues for residents. As the heat rises, so does the risk of rolling power outages. As most people rely on AC to stay cool, you’ll need to know what to do if were to be no longer an option.
The most important tip here is to prepare now, before the power outages happen. You want to have the tools you need if the power goes out, so you’re not looking for supplies once it happens. The less time you spend trying to mitigate the effects of the heat, the safer you and your family will be.
Final Thought
It can be tiresome to find the most factual and effective information about fire safety matters. But what we’ve gathered here is a great start to guide you in the right direction. Connect with a fire safety consultant for further assistance.
