Fire Safety Learning Center

What is carbon monoxide poisoning? Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas commonly found in combustion fumes. Such fumes are created by burning gas, wood, propane, or charcoal. Not surprisingly, carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by breathing in too much carbon monoxide. Inhaling the fumes allows it to build up in your bloodstream, and it replaces the oxygen that your red blood cells need with harmful carbon monoxide molecules. Prolonged exposure to this odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas can lead to severe damage to one’s tissue and brain, and it can even lead to death. Carbon monoxide symptoms & signs Due...

Many condominium owners have an action plan to follow in the case that their home catches fire while they are at the property. But what happens if your condo unit catches fire while you’re not there? Do you have a plan of action for that scenario? When leaving your home unattended for several days at a time, it is important to have a plan in place to help protect your residence. You do things like tell your neighbor that you really trust that you’ll be out of town. You might hire a house or dog sitter to keep an eye...

  Purchasing a new portable fire extinguisher for your home or business can be a daunting task if you don’t know much about extinguishers.  Different extinguishers are designed to combat specific types and sizes of fires. Do you know what type of extinguisher would work best for protecting a fireplace, versus which would work best for a kitchen grease fire? This review of the different types of fire extinguishers will help you to determine which one works best for you. Types of Fires The first concept to understand is that there are different classes, or types, of fires. Fire classifications...

Before fireproofing, fire-resistant materials and fire sprinkler systems existed, the majority of buildings in Chicago had virtually no fire protection. Fires that burned down major parts of growing cities contributed to the need for regulated fire standards that would protect people and their structural property. One such fire was the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. After this fire killed 300 people, left 100,000 homeless and destroyed over 2,000 acres of land, Chicago was prompted to implement stricter codes for fire safety and for building standards. How, then, did a similar fire cause so much damage again just three years later?...

  Summer is the time for fun and food in the sun, and the perfect way to celebrate is by gathering around the grill to cook some of your favorite dishes. It is important to practice fire safety when grilling. Grilling seems like a very routine act once it is warm outside - you get your charcoal or propane, prep your fire and your food, and make a delicious meal. You don’t think about the little things that could potentially be dangerous when it comes to grilling. This checklist of tips will help you to quickly remember the little things...