Servicemaster by Best is Participating in the National Fire Prevention Week

Wichita, KS, October 17, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The 2012 theme by the National Fire Prevention Association is “Have 2 Ways Out.” According to the NFPA, “Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.”

The American Red Cross is reminding business owners that fire is actually the most common of all business disasters. The ARC responds with aid to residential and commercial fires to assists victims in their time of need. The Red Cross responds to a fire every nine minutes. “We respond to about 63,000 home fires every year,” said Charley Shimanski, Senior Vice President, red Cross Disaster Services. “Home fires can strike quickly and without warning, so the best thing families can do to be protected is to install smoke alarms and to develop and practice a fire escape plan.”

Federal Emergency Management Agency encourages each family to:
• Map all the levels of a home and find two ways out making sure all windows and doors open easily.
• Purchase collapsible ladders evaluated by recognized testing laboratories and only use in emergency.
• Teach each child to escape on their own if you cannot help.
• Practice the fire escape plan during the night and day.
• Have 2 Ways Out.
• Get out fast when a fire occurs.
• Never open doors that are hot to touch.
• Designate a meeting place outside and take attendance.
• Once out, stay out.

The United States Fire Administration estimates that non-residential building fires resulted in approximately $2.4 billion in losses in the year 2010 alone.

More than 2,500 people die and approximately 12,600 are injured annually in the United States alone. Property losses for homeowners exceed $7.3 billion annually. According to government resources at Ready.gov:
• Fire is Fast.
• Fire is Hot.
• Fire is Dark.
• Fire is Deadly.

ServiceMaster by Best has extensive experience and IICRC trained managers and technicians to assist homeowners and business owners in their time of need after a fire or another disaster. “When a fire happens it’s quite chaotic,” said Lazarus, President of ServiceMaster by Best. A little bit of planning and rehearsing on what to do in the event of a fire can be valuable in saving a life. “Everyone thinks that it won’t happen to me, but it’s the very thing that needs a few minutes of planning” Lazarus added.

For more information about the National Fire Protection Association, visit nfpa.org. Other resources are:
• Ready.gov/fires
• FEMA.gov
• RedCross.org
For more information about ServiceMaster by Best, call (316) 687-1895 or visit SMbyBest.com.