Do you know the “Sounds of Fire Safety?”  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) celebrates Fire Prevention Week every October.  This year, everyone in fire protection is focusing on sounds, whether from smoke detectors or full on emergency sirens, alerting you to fire hazards.  Sound awareness is extremely important for visually impaired and blind individuals. TFS’ parent company Marmic Fire & Safety® released a video interview with members of the Joplin (Missouri) Association for the Blind, a non-profit organization offering assistance to low vision and blind mem ..read more

  By now, most Americans are aware that you cannot contract the Coronavirus by drinking a Corona beer! We also know that the Coronavirus outbreak, that began in Wuhan, China, has spread across 27 countries including the United States. It is estimated that over 87,000 people are infected with the coronavirus or COVID-19 and numbers continue to climb.  Much is unknown about the virus that causes COVID-19, but Doctors and scientists are drawing knowledge from similar coronaviruses and are working on a vaccine.  What is the coronavirus and how can you as a business, keep employees healthy? What i ..read more

  Restaurant fires destroy more than property.  Restaurants hold priceless memories of celebrations and firsts, meetings with important people, backgrounds for special announcements or the reliable spot to pick up favorite weekday takeout meals. With a fire, they all go up in smoke—literally. Restaurant fires can be devastating, not only to the owners and patrons, but to the employees as well. Nearly 8,000 restaurant fires occur each year resulting in $165 million in property damage. According to the NFPA, cooking equipment was the leading cause of restaurant fires (61%), electrical equipment ..read more

  How important is the fire code for animal shelters?  Deadly fires at kennels and animal shelters are not uncommon across the U.S.  In the past year, over 100 dogs have died in kennel fires, including here near Chicago. On the night of January 14, 2019, a West Chicago animal kennel went up in flames. Thirty-one dogs perished in the fire.  The exact cause of the fire is unknown, but investigators determined no staff was present at the time and no working fire sprinklers were on property.  The kennel did have fire detectors, but no one was around to hear them. The tragedy prompted lawmakers to ..read more

We wish you the warmth and cheer of the season! Thank you for your continued support throughout the year. From all of us at Total Fire & Safety   Twelve Days of Fire Safety On the first day of safety, Total Fire gave to me… A safe and code compliant facility! On the second day of safety, Total Fire gave to me… Two emergency plans   and a safe and code compliant facility!  On the third day of safety, Total Fire gave to me… Three eyewash stations   Two emergency plans   and a safe and code compliant facility!  On the fourth day of safety, Total Fire gave to me.. Four first aid kits   Th ..read more

  Does your organization have a first aid kit hanging on the wall? It sits there silently like a dutiful soldier, ready and waiting for any emergency. But with winter on its way, you may be surprised at how often that first aid kit can be called into service during the coldest months of the year. Winter weather can easily compromise employee safety, whether the workplace is outdoors or in an office. It is important to keep first aid kits well stocked with winter safety essentials. Before you start planning your holiday office party, let’s look at your first aid kit and what we can do to “wint ..read more

  Does your organization have a first aid kit hanging on the wall? It sits there silently like a dutiful soldier, ready and waiting for any emergency. But with winter on its way, you may be surprised at how often that first aid kit can be called into service during the coldest months of the year. Winter weather can easily compromise employee safety, whether the workplace is outdoors or in an office. It is important to keep first aid kits well stocked with winter safety essentials. Before you start planning your holiday office party, let’s look at your first aid kit and what we can do to “wint ..read more

Fire prevention week has been designated as October 6-12, 2019 by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Fire prevention week has a long history, dating back to 1925, when President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed fire prevention week as a national observance. Now, it has become the longest running health observance in the country. At Total Fire & Safety, we use this time to reiterate to our clients how important it is to stay compliant with NFPA codes and keep everyone within their buildings, warehouses and commercial spaces supplied with fire extinguishers, sprinklers, and suppress ..read more

If you have ever visited a historic building, what do you notice?  Old documents, precious artwork, impeccable craftmanship, and… fire protection equipment?  Hopefully your answer to the latter is no. Ideally, historic properties should still maintain the look and feel of an era gone by, but how do you do it and still install and maintain fire equipment that’s up to code? Everyday commercial buildings are damaged by fires, causing a huge loss for any business.  However, these damages can be repaired, sometimes improving the building from its previous structure.  This is not the case for histo ..read more

  Once again active shooting in public places is making headlines and making us consider our self defense options wherever we go. Unfortunately, our safety can be threatened almost anywhere, and self-defense is important. In your workplace or the facilities you manage, it’s important for the people inside to know how to react in the event of an active shooter or other attack. In the case of an active shooter or other violent attack, potential victims have little or no advance warning.  The sound of gunshots may be the earliest alert you receive, leaving little time to react.  That’s why it is ..read more