In this post, we are pointing out tips for you to know and remember during this week and carry out for your life.

• Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. Smoke alarms save lives. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out. Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

1. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home.
2. Test your smoke alarms every month and change the batteries regurlaly
3. Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years
4. When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
5. In the event of a fire like evacuation, calling the fire brigade, call 999
6. People deaf and with hearing impairments can chose smoke alarms that sound an ultra-loud warning and others that have visual and vibrating indicators. CFSG and Silent Alert have a special range of general alerting (including smoke alarms) options for the commercial and the domestic markets. The Silent Alert Wireless Personal Paging System offers a choice of portable receivers to alert you to all the important sounds around the home (smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, burglar, car alarms, baby monitor, telephone, etc…).

• Fire Alarms

Fire alarm systems are expected to help protect people, property, and assets. Proper testing, inspection and maintenance can keep your fire alarm system at optimum operating performance. In addition to ensuring protection, keeping your system in good condition reduces expenses by preventing unbudgeted emergency repairs and costly false alarms. 

Silent Alert Commercial Firesafe Systems - This is a deaf fire alarm interface that links with any existing commercial fire alarm system and complies with all the relevant parts of I.S. 3218 2013 and EN54-25 2008 & BS5839-1 2002. This system can help make you compliant with Part 3 of the Disability Act 2005. Other workplace alerting options can be integrated with this system such as telephone, intercom, etc.

• Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers can be a small but important part of the home fire safety plan. They can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or suppressing it until the fire department arrives.

Check out our blog: What you should know about Fire Extinguishers?

CFSG can inspect the extinguishers at your facility. We schedule a time to service your facility, arrive on time with a smile, perform our inspections. While the job might seem simple, there is actually an extensive process behind the annual inspection. Each extinguisher requires individual attention and several detailed check points to ensure it will function as designed.

• Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting and exit signage are essential for accidents or catastrophic events that require a safe and smooth evacuation from a building. It provides illumination allowing people to see clearly, avoid obstacles and move confidently to the nearest exit in a crisis. Our range of emergency lighting products provides a flexible, cost effective solution to any emergency lighting testing and monitoring system.

• Safety Training

The importance of safety training extends beyond a worker’s introduction to the job. It also encompasses situations when his job changes or when working conditions change. Without an understanding of safety practices related to her job, a worker will be at a higher risk for workplace injury, illness or death.

CFSG has developed and increased its range of training courses ensuring that all trainers are fully up-to-date and compliant with the latest standards.

• Safety Kits

CFSG offers a range of safety kits: Medical Kits
- First Aid Boxes
- Home Safety Kits (Fire Extinguisher, Smoke Blanket & Smoke Alarm)
- Taxi Safety Kits (First Aid Box, Fire Extinguisher, Hi-Viz Vest, Warning Triangle, Torch, Pen & Notebook). To keep your family safe equip your home with the essential products you will need if an emergency occurs.

CFSG is one stop shop that supplies all your Fire Safety needs, email us info@cfsg.ie or call us 01 295 7540. CSFG operates a nationwide service backed up by a 24 hour call monitoring facility.

• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, change batteries immediately if needed.  For more information check out our section on smoke alarm maintenance & carbon monoxide detector maintenance.
• Check your fire extinguishers.  For more information, check our post on fire extinguisher information.
• Check for overloaded or damaged extension cords, replace where needed.                                        
• Ensure you have an emergency preparedness kit in case of incidents such as power outages and flooding.
• Practice your families fire escape plan so everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency
• More than one-quarter (29%) of the home structure fires involving grills started on a courtyard, terrace or patio, 28% started on an exterior balcony or open porch, and 6% started in the kitchen.
• Position the grill well away from the residence. Do not place your grill directly next to siding, deck railings, extended eves, or below overhanging branches / leaves.
• Do not place your grill near or under utility pole wires that may be coming into your house.
• Place the grill a safe distance from any kind of foot traffic.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring no less than a 3-foot zone around the grill. 
• Look for the standard on your sunscreen before sunbathing: If you are one of the thousands of sun lovers thinking of spending the day on the beach, look out for the ISO 24443 standard on sunscreen before you make a purchase. It is also important to wear sunscreen while driving in warm weather to avoid dangerous rays.
• Check arm bands and swimming costumes for standards: Make sure children’s swimming costumes, sun screen and armbands meet the relevant standards and display the CE mark. The I.S. EN 13138 standard for buoyancy aids ensures that rigorous safety test methods have been put into use and that aids are safe to be worn by your child.
• Buy sunglasses that protect against solar radiation and UV rays: When looking at the latest, most fashionable sunglasses consumers should choose options that meet the I.S. EN 1836 standard. This ensures that eyewear purchased offers protection against solar radiation or UV rays. Eyewear that does not offer protection from solar radiation or UV rays can damage your eyes.
• Check the CE mark on trampolines and bouncing castles: When buying a trampoline, make sure it comes with a safety net and a protective pad around the springs and that it also displays the CE marking (this ensures it meets the I.S. EN 13219 standard). Bouncing castles should meet the I.S. EN 14960 which tests and ensures that materials, design and structural integrity of the inflatable unit is fully safe and reliable for use. Ensure that the inflatable is securely anchored with a minimum of six anchorage points.
• Look for CE marks on tents: If you are one of the thousands of music lovers getting ready to go to one or more of this years’ summer festivals, look out for the CE marking and standards on tents and camping equipment before you purchase. I.S. EN 15619 and IS EN 13782 are both tent safety standards that will ensure the design, structure and fabric used in your tent is reliable, secure and flame retardant to avoid a dangerous situation.
• Check that your fitness equipment carries the relevant standard: Before you start training on your treadmill for that 10k or mini marathon check that it carries the relevant safety standard. Treadmills should carry the I.S. EN 957 standard, which ensures that the treadmill is safe and suitable for use.

Check our website and know more about Ireland’s specialist in Fire and Safety.

Is your smoke alarm still working? Smoke alarms must be maintained! A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all.

A smoke alarm only works when it is properly installed and maintained. Depending on how your smoke alarm is powered (9-volt, 10-year lithium, or hardwired), you’ll have to maintain it according to manufacturer’s instructions. General guidelines for smoke alarm maintenance:

Smoke alarm powered by a 9-volt battery

• Test the alarm monthly.
• Replace the batteries at least once per year.
• The entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.

Smoke alarm powered by a 10-year lithium (or “long life”) battery

• Test the alarm monthly.
• Since you cannot (and should not) replace the lithium battery, the entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Smoke alarm that is hardwired into the home’s electrical system

• Test the alarm monthly.
• The backup battery should be replaced at least once per year.
• The entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.

*** Testing your smoke detector is as important as brushing your teeth.***

Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking

A smoke alarm is just doing its job when it sounds while you’re cooking or taking a shower with lots of steam.

• If a smoke alarm sounds while you’re cooking or taking a shower with lots of steam, do not remove the battery. You should:
• Open a window or door and press the “hush” button,
• Wave a towel at the alarm to clear the air, or
• Move the entire alarm several feet away from the location.

Disabling a smoke alarm or removing the battery can be a deadly mistake.

Cannon Fire Safety Group provides all the Fire Safety appliances that your home or bussines need. Visit www.cfsg.ie or contact us by email info@cfsg.ie

Fire extinguishers are required under the terms of your insurance.

Types of fire extinguisher

• Water Fire Extinguishers - The cheapest and most widely used fire extinguishers. Used for Class A fires. Not suitable for Class B (Liquid) fires, or where electricity is involved.
• Foam Fire Extinguisher - More expensive than water, but more versatile. Used for Classes A & B fires. Foam spray extinguishers are not recommended for fires involving electricity, but are safer than water if inadvertently sprayed onto live electrical apparatus.
• Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers - Often termed the ‘multi-purpose’ extinguisher, as it can be used on classes A, B & C fires. Best for running liquid fires (Class B). Will efficiently extinguish Class C gas fires, BUT BEWARE, IT CAN BE DANGEROUS TO EXTINGUISH A GAS FIRE WITHOUT FIRST ISOLATING THE GAS SUPPLY.  Special powders are available for class D metal fires.
• CO2 Fire Extinguishers - Carbon Dioxide is ideal for fires involving electrical apparatus, and will also extinguish class B liquid fires, but has NO POST FIRE SECURITY and the fire could re-ignite.
• Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers – Specially designed for class F fires.
• For Metal Fires: A specialist fire extinguisher for use on Class D fires – metal fires such as sodium, lithium, manganese and aluminium when in the form of swarf or turnings.

What are these types of classes material?

Class A: Solids such as paper, wood, plastic etc

Class B: Flammable Liquids such as paraffin, petrol, oil etc

Class C: Flammable Gases such as propane, butane, methane etc

Class D: Metals such as aluminium, magnesium, titanium etc

Class E: Fires involving Electrical Apparatus

Class F: Cooking Oil & Fat etc

For further questions contact us by info@cfsg.ie or call us 01 2957540

CFSG supplies a range of fire extinguishers for all types of fires.

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• Emergency lighting systems provide lighting in corridors, stairwells, ramps, escalators, aisles and exit passageways during power outages.
• You must be in compliance with I.S. 3217:2008. Any commercial building must have Emergency Lighting and the installation should follow the legislation criteria.
• Emergency lighting and exit signage are essential in the event of accidents or catastrophic events that require a safe and smooth evacuation from a building.
• There are different types of emergency lights available. Non-maintained, which only come on if the power fails; maintained which are always on but switch to battery-powered during a power failure; and sustained, which have two lamps – one which is normally powered via the building’s electricity and one which illuminates via battery power in an emergency.
• Make sure that the Exit sign (LED) is always illuminated (daily inspection).
• You must follow the Irish Standards testing requirements, so you will avoid the possibility of failure of the emergency lighting systems.

Cannon Fire Safety Group is certified and trained by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). Also, we provide the full range of Emergency Lighting Systems.

To help you stay safe and warm this winter and to help reduce the number of accidents, CFSG gives you some TIPS that you should follow before buying your electric blanket and also when using it.

• Buy a new blanket from a reputable retailer
• Look out for Safety Standard mark

Using Electric Blankets:

• Always read and follow manufacturer’s instruction before use
• Check the type: i.e. over or under electric blanket
• Examine your blanket regularly for signs of wear or damage
• Check the manufacturer’s instructions for suitability to wash your blanket
• Do not plug the blanket into an adaptor or multi-socket block with another appliance plugged in
• Never use an electric blanket with a water bed
• Never use a hot water bottle and an electric blanket together
• Never leave clothes piled on an electric blanket if it is switched on – this can cause overheating and scorching
• Never use the blanket whilst it is still folded, rucked or creased
• Store your blanket carefully when you take it off your bed – see the manufacturer’s instructions on how best to do this

Visit our website: www.cfsg.ie

1. When you purchase an artificial tree look for “Fire Resistant” label
2. When you buy a live tree, check for freshness
3. When setting up a tree at home, keep it away from fireplaces
4. Check each set of lights (new or old) for broken or cracked sockets
5. Never use electric lights on a metallic tree
6. Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house
7. Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees and house walls to protect from wind damage
8. Use non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree
9. Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Also use non-flammable holders, and place them where they will not be knocked down
10. Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace

Visit our website: www.cfsg.ie