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More than 1,000 hospitals in the United States will experience a fire. Don’t want to be one of them? There are many precautions you and your team can take to reduce your risk.
No one plans on being in a hospital fire, but you should still prepare for the (unlikely) worst. Especially with such a high level of liability.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Keep reading for tips on how to keep your hospital and patients safe from fires.
Hospitals already contain lots of equipment, many of which can be flammable such as oxygen tanks. Keep medical and safety supplies organized with necessary fire preventive equipment. Specifically, fire extinguishers.
Readily available fire extinguishers throughout a hospital not only instill safety, in many places, it’s the law. Make sure these are up to date and all staff members are comfortable with using them. Outdated fire extinguishers can compromise their ability to put out a hospital fire.
Just as you would be mindful in your home’s kitchen, a hospital’s kitchen is a high-risk area for accidental fires. Even more so because of the large number of meals being prepared every single day.
Over 68% of hospital fires are caused by cooking. Keep cooking equipment clean such as stoves and grills to avoid grease fires. Never pour water to put one out, keep extra salt or baking soda handy instead.
Loose wires and rouge cords should never be present in a hospital. But what about behind the walls or in the ceiling where the naked eye can’t see?
Wires can gradually wear down over time, compromising their safety against hospital fires. While you don’t have to call an electrician, at minimum a hospital should annually have a professional inspection throughout its facility.
Thousands of hospitals already ban smoking in an effort to increase safety in healthcare. Following this method is the most effective way to prevent hospital fires from cigarette smoking.
For facilities that still allow this risk factor to take place, designate an area outside that won’t hinder anyone’s safety or well-being. The best method, however, is banning smoking on facility grounds altogether.
A Priority Response Emergency Plan (P.R.E.P.) is the reactive steps taken in unforeseen the event of a hospital fire. This outlined plan should be available to all staff and updated as needed.
Practice these core strategies on a frequent basis and know how to react. Where is the nearest fire extinguisher? Who’s calling 911? Having assigned duties ahead of an actual emergency ensures further safety.
No two hospitals are the same. As you formulate a response method to combat a hospital fire, use safety tips that are applicable to your facility’s needs.
Are you interested in enhancing your medical facility’s safety? Unlimited Restoration offers natural disaster planning & training and can tailor a P.R.E.P. for your workplace’s needs. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist.
