When Storm Season Strikes Nassau County: The Critical Fire Safety Step Most Residents Forget

As hurricane season officially runs from June through November, Nassau County residents are busy preparing for potential storms with emergency kits, securing outdoor furniture, and stocking up on supplies. However, there’s one crucial safety preparation that many homeowners and business owners overlook: ensuring their fire extinguishers are properly recharged and ready for use. This oversight could prove dangerous, as storms can increase the risk of fire, with more than 150 homes destroyed by enormous fires that swept through New York communities during Superstorm Sandy after rising seawater caused electrical systems to spark.

Why Hurricane Season Increases Fire Risks in Nassau County

The connection between hurricanes and fire hazards isn’t immediately obvious, but the risks are very real. Hurricane-force winds can cause significant structural damage and can knock out power lines, potentially causing surge damage in unprotected electronics and appliances when electricity is ultimately restored. When power returns after an outage, the electrical current rushes to fill the “empty space” in the lines (known as an inrush), and electronics and appliances are not designed to handle such power-flow fluctuations, and can be damaged during such events.

Beyond electrical fires, hurricane conditions create numerous other fire hazards. Evacuees often need to use temporary cooking and lighting devices in emergency situations, including candles and alternate or portable methods for cooking, such as camping stoves. Additionally, a number of people affected by hurricanes became sick and died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, with hours after Hurricane Ike roared ashore in Texas, more than two million homes were without power, leading to dangerous generator use indoors.

The Importance of Fire Extinguisher Readiness Before Storm Season

A portable fire extinguisher is your first line of defense against a fire – and perhaps the most important part of your fire safety program. However, many residents don’t realize that fire extinguishers need to be recharged after each use – even if they aren’t empty – to ensure that there will be enough pressure and suppressant liquid to properly extinguish another fire. They should also be recharged if they become damaged, or periodically throughout their lifespan.

The timing of fire extinguisher maintenance is particularly crucial before hurricane season. Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s instructions should be part of your annual storm preparation routine. It is recommended to perform a visual inspection of your fire extinguishers weekly to check the pressure gauge. If the yellow pointer on the gauge is in the green zone, the extinguisher is properly pressurized and ready to use. If the gauge is pointing to the red zone it means that there is NOT enough pressure, and your fire extinguisher should be replaced.

Professional Fire Extinguisher Recharge Services in Nassau County

When it comes to ensuring your fire extinguishers are storm-ready, professional service is essential. Your fire extinguishers should only be recharged by a certified fire equipment dealer or fire protection company. For Nassau County residents seeking reliable fire extinguisher recharge nassau county services, M&M Fire Extinguishers Sales & Services, Inc. provides comprehensive solutions.

In Nassau County, NY, M&M Fire Extinguishers Sales & Services, Inc. is the leading provider of fire extinguisher recharge services designed to meet your safety needs. With extensive experience and commitment to quality, M&M Fire Extinguishers Sales & Services, Inc. ensures that residents and businesses in Nassau County can rely on their fire extinguishers in case of emergency. Their team comprises certified technicians who efficiently execute recharge services while adhering to the industry’s best practices.

What Professional Fire Extinguisher Recharge Involves

Professional fire extinguisher recharge is more comprehensive than many people realize. Recharge services encompass refilling the extinguisher with the appropriate extinguishing agent, replacing defective parts, and conducting thorough inspections to verify operational efficacy. The fire extinguisher recharge process is meticulous and conforms to the industry standards. It begins with depressurizing the extinguisher and then refilling it with the appropriate extinguishing agent. After recharging, rigorous testing is performed to verify the extinguisher’s functionality, and only then is it certified as ready for use.

Hurricane Season Fire Safety Beyond Fire Extinguishers

While ensuring your fire extinguishers are recharged is crucial, it’s part of a broader fire safety strategy for hurricane season. Keep fire extinguishers on hand and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. Consider a multi-rated fire extinguisher that can be used on a variety of types of fires like wood, paper, fabric, flammable liquid and electrical fires. Make sure you know how to use your home fire extinguisher and when to escape if the fire becomes too big to contain.

Additional fire safety preparations should include avoiding dangerous practices during power outages. In the event that you lose power due to a hurricane or other type of storm, never use an open flame from a light source. Using an open flame like candles for a light source can be a potential fire hazard. This is especially dangerous when people use them at night and leave them unattended while sleeping.

Taking Action Before the Next Storm

Don’t wait until a hurricane watch is issued to think about fire safety. The best time to prepare for a hurricane is before hurricane season begins on June 1. For more information about comprehensive fire extinguisher recharge services in Nassau County, call 631-464-5609. M&M’s proactive approach to service delivery guarantees swift response and attention to detail, thus fostering confidence among their clientele. They meticulously adhere to safety protocols and industry standards, providing unparalleled service quality in Nassau County.

As Nassau County faces another hurricane season, remember that fire safety preparation is just as important as securing your property against wind and water damage. By ensuring your fire extinguishers are properly recharged and maintained by certified professionals, you’re taking a critical step toward protecting your family and property from the often-overlooked fire risks that accompany severe storms.