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Save Lives and Loss by Practicing Fire Prevention in Your Business

Save Lives and Prevent Loss: Fire Prevention Tips for North Shore Businesses

Sam Simon

June 30, 2025

Fire prevention isn’t just smart—it’s critical for protecting your North Shore business. Learn expert tips to reduce fire risks, meet NFPA and OSHA standards, and safeguard your property. Trusted guidance from ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons – North Shore, backed by 40+ years of experience.

Fire Prevention Starts Before the Flames

In the North Shore of Chicago—home to historic buildings, modern offices, and bustling retail districts—fire is a silent threat. Business owners in towns like Evanston, Wilmette, and Winnetka face year-round fire risks, from outdated electrical systems to unattended appliances.

While fire damage is often sudden, the costliest damage typically happens when prevention fails. According to the NFPA, U.S. businesses lose billions annually to fire—but many of these losses are preventable with a strong plan, regular inspections, and a safety-first culture.

Here’s how to protect your commercial property, employees, and operations.

Top Fire Risks in Commercial Properties

Whether you own a restaurant in Highland Park or an office in Glenview, these are common risks to address:

  • Overloaded electrical outlets or outdated wiring
  • Improper use of space heaters
  • Unattended cooking equipment
  • Blocked emergency exits
  • Improper storage of flammable materials
  • Neglected fire extinguishers or alarms

North Shore’s older building stock, especially in downtown Evanston and East Wilmette, often includes aging electrical infrastructure that must be proactively maintained to prevent disaster.

Workplace Fire Extinguisher Checklist

According to OSHA and the NFPA, workplace extinguishers must be maintained annually by professionals. Monthly visual checks are also essential:

  • Inspect for corrosion, dents, or leaks
  • Ensure pressure gauge is in the green
  • Confirm pull-pin and tamper seal are intact
  • Verify inspection tag is dated and initialed
  • Keep access clear and labeled

Schedule professional servicing annually—and train your staff to recognize extinguisher types and uses.

Create (and Post) a Written Fire Prevention Plan

A written plan isn’t just smart—it’s required under OSHA standards. Even in small businesses, a posted fire plan can save lives and minimize chaos.

Your plan should include:

  • Building layout and emergency exit maps
  • Fire protection system locations (extinguishers, alarms, sprinklers)
  • Evacuation routes and roles
  • Contact info for emergency response
  • Offsite meeting location

Space Heater and Appliance Safety in the Workplace

Space heaters, toasters, and coffee machines might seem harmless—but they’re among the top causes of workplace fires.

  • Require manager approval before heater use
  • Place heaters at least 3 feet from any flammable material
  • Never leave appliances plugged in after hours
  • Use UL-listed models with auto shutoff features

Don’t allow power cords to run under rugs or behind furniture. These cords generate heat and can spark fires if frayed or compressed.

Reduce Office Fire Risks by Managing Clutter and Cords

  • Store papers and boxes away from outlets and heating elements
  • Never daisy-chain extension cords
  • Unplug devices that aren’t used daily
  • Keep escape routes and hallways clear of furniture and inventory

When Fire Strikes, We’re Here to Help

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons – North Shore, we’ve helped businesses recover from devastating fire events in:

  • Evanston (Dempster Corridor, Downtown, Ridge Historic District)
  • Wilmette (West Wilmette, No Man’s Land, Kenilworth Gardens)
  • Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Northbrook, Lake Forest, Glenview, and beyond

We don’t just restore your building—we help restore your operations and peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How often should fire extinguishers be inspected in a commercial building?
A: Professionally once per year, with monthly in-house visual inspections.

Q: What should a business fire prevention plan include?
A: Evacuation procedures, building layout, equipment locations, emergency contacts, and assigned roles.

Q: Are commercial fire losses usually covered by insurance?
A: Yes, but coverage depends on your policy. We assist with claim documentation.

Q: Do you offer fire damage restoration for businesses on the North Shore?
A: Absolutely. We serve Evanston, Glenview, Wilmette, and all nearby suburbs with emergency cleanup, odor removal, soot cleanup, and reconstruction.

Q: What’s your response time for commercial fire emergencies?
A: We’re available 24/7, with crews dispatched from our Skokie hub.

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons – North Shore

Founded in Chicago in 1929, ServiceMaster is the oldest disaster restoration brand in the United States. Locally, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons – North Shore brings over 40 years of experience helping businesses across Cook and Lake Counties recover from fire, smoke, and water damage.

Led by Sam Simon, an IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer and co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset, our team is:

We combine local trust with national strength.

Our Commercial Fire Restoration Services Include:

  • 24/7 emergency response
  • Soot and smoke odor removal
  • Structural and content cleaning
  • Pack-out and secure storage
  • HVAC system cleaning
  • Full reconstruction and remodeling

📞 Call us anytime at (847) 316-9145
🌐 Visit: servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com

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Sam Simon

Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.

He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.

Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.

In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.

Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career under the name Sam Zabadneh, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
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Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.

Under the direction of majority owner and President & CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:

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