By Ginger Dayton, Director of Health and Safety at ATI Worksite Solutions

October is here and that means Fire Safety Month is too. Now is a great time to review evacuation routes and plans at work and home.

Free online training in English and Spanish is available on the Fire Extinguisher Training website.

Fire Safety Basics

Know where two exits are from you normal work area and make sure access to the exits remains clear at all times. If there is an “Exit” sign above the door, make sure it is illuminated or that it lights up in the dark.

Find the two closest fire extinguishers to your work area and identify on which classes of fires they will work.

Remember the 3 As:

Activate – the building alarm system or notify the fire department by calling 911.

Assist – others in getting out of the building, without risk to yourself.

Attempt – to extinguish the fire.**

**ONLY IF the fire is small and contained, you have a means to escape (your back to an exit), and you are comfortable doing so.

It takes oxygen, heat and fuel in a chemical reaction to make a fire. To extinguish the fire, interrupt the reaction by removing one of the elements.

Most Common Classes of Fires

A – makes an ash (paper, wood)

B – as in BYOB – flammable liquids

C – electrical components

To Use a Fire Extinguisher – PASS

Pull the pin

Aim at the base of the fire

Squeeze the handle/trigger

Sweep side to side

Other October Safety Events/Observations

October 2-6: Drive Safely Work Week– Network of Employers for Traffic Safety

October 14: Home Fire Drill Day – National Safety Council

October 15-21: National Teen Driver Safety Week– National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

October 16-20: National School Bus Safety Week– National Association for Pupil Transportation