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Save Lives and Loss by Practicing Fire Prevention in Your Business

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    Fires are unpredictable. They can occur anytime, anywhere, to any business. But almost a third of commercial fires happen between 7pm and 7am, the hours workers aren’t in attendance. Those fires also cause nearly 67% of property damage because they go undetected for a longer time. Fortunately, there are preventative measures you can take to minimize the chances of a fire taking place in your Chicagoland business or commercial building.

    According to OSHA, employers are required to perform a full maintenance check on their workplace fire extinguishers at least once per year. “Maintenance” means a thorough examination and repair, as needed, of all your businesses portable fire extinguishers, as covered in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), section 4.

    While inspecting and maintaining your fire extinguishers according to Chicago fire codes, each month you should take these actions:
    • Look for signs of damage, including dents, corrosion, and leakage.
    • Check the pressure gauge to make sure that the indicator is in the operating (green) range.
    • Make sure the pull-pin isn’t missing and that the pull-pin seal is unbroken.
    • Verify the date of the last professional maintenance inspection.
    • Date and initial the tag to log the visual inspection.
    Your company must have a fire prevention plan in writing that’s kept in the workplace and is available to all your staff for examination. Even if your employees are few, having it printed instead of communicating it orally is more beneficial as it can be reviewed at any time. Your plan should include:
    • Relevant information concerning the building’s layout
    • The building’s fire protection systems and equipment
    • Emergency evacuation procedures
    Space heaters are notorious for starting fires, so if you can get by without them, do so. But if you must have them, follow these safety tips:
    • Require employees to get approval before using a heater in their workspace.
    • Instruct that space heaters and cords be placed in out-of-the-way areas.
    • Stress the necessity to turn off space heaters at the end of the workday.
    • Establish minimum standards for heaters, including safety features and independent testing certifications.

    Keep other appliances such as coffeemakers and toasters away from paper and other flammables. You should also reduce the amount of clutter in your building. Items like boxes, piles of paper, and other flammable materials can supply fuel for a fire, especially if left near a heat source. Before plugging anything in, make certain the cord hasn’t been damaged or frayed. If it has been, replace it immediately. Electrical cords from any equipment should never run under rugs or between furniture and walls; they tend to heat up, so they need to be clear of any flammable objects.

    We understand how devastating and confusing a fire to your Chicago area business can be. Your best defense is to develop an emergency contingency plan. Don’t hesitate to contact the experts here at ServiceMaster Disaster Restoration By Simons. We offer peace of mind by helping you with that plan and guiding you through the restoration process. 

    About Us: ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, is a 2020 recipient of the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, and recipient of the 2020 Skokie Business of the Year Award, Honorable Mention Category. ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons (MBE/WBE) is a family operated, IICRC & OSHA Certified company serving Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, and the North Shore. We provide commercial disaster restoration services including Water & Flood Damage Restoration, Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration, Mold Remediation and a wide range of interior specialty cleaning including COVID-19 Cleaning Services, Hoarder & Clutter Cleaning, Post-Construction Cleaning, Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning to residential and commercial customers. For more information, call 773-839-5542 or visit www.servicemasterbysimons.com or info@servicemaster-rbs.com

    Author

    • Nasutsa Mabwa

      About Nasutsa Mabwa

      Nasutsa Mabwa is the CEO and co-owner of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE firm proudly serving Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties in Illinois. Under her leadership, the company has become one of Chicagoland’s most trusted providers of disaster restoration services, including water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke damage cleanup, and mold remediation for residential and commercial clients.

      A recognized civic and business leader, Nasutsa is a recipient of the 2020 Daily Herald Business Ledger C-Suite Award, a Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2018 ServiceMaster® Achiever Award recipient. She currently serves as a Civic Federation Board Member, an Advisory Board Member, and is the Past President of the Executive Committee for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce.  She is a proud member of the WPO - Women's President Organization.

      Nasutsa holds IICRC certifications in Water Damage Restoration (WRT) and Fire & Smoke Restoration (FSRT), bringing both strategic leadership and technical expertise to every project.

      She is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset from Water and Fire Disasters — a practical, accessible book for homeowners based on real-world experience in the restoration industry.
      📘 Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/RESTORE-complete-protecting-valuable-disasters/dp/1952779529

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