Overcoming Fire Safety Challenges | Protecting Your Loved Ones and J Bar Enterprises

June is National Safety Month, and at J Bar Enterprises, we’re committed to making safety a top priority for everyone, everywhere. As a leading portable sanitation company, we believe that safety starts with each of us at work and home, and extends to our communities. Each week we will introduce a safety procedure or a bit of knowledge about safety, and explain how it correlates with one of our core values.

We will cover processes and procedures we follow here at our facility, as well as global safety measures you can take to support those around you. Be sure to follow along with this journey and keep an eye out for blog posts, videos, and a podcast episode with our Safety & Training Steward, who has decades of experience in the field!

At J Bar Enterprises, one of our core values is being an Overcomer. This means facing challenges head-on and being prepared to protect ourselves and those around us. Fire safety is a crucial area where this value shines. By knowing how to use a fire extinguisher, you become a de facto protector, ready to act in case of an emergency. Our commitment to safety training ensures that all J Bar staff are equipped with this vital knowledge, which can be invaluable in both professional and personal settings.

Fire Safety: A Key Aspect of Being an Overcomer

Understanding how to handle fire emergencies is not just a workplace requirement; it’s a life skill that can make a significant difference in any situation. Here’s why it’s important:

Knowledge and Responsibility: As part of J Bar’s safety training, every employee learns how to use a fire extinguisher. This training empowers you to take ownership of your knowledge and act decisively if needed. You might be the only person who knows how to use a fire extinguisher in an emergency, making you a crucial line of defense against potential disasters.

Types of Summer Fires:

Summer is a time for BBQs, camping, and outdoor activities, but it also brings specific fire risks:

  • BBQ Fires: Ensure your grill is stable, keep a spray bottle or water hose nearby, and never leave the grill unattended.
  • Camp Fires: Use designated fire pits, keep a bucket of water or sand nearby, and never use gasoline to start your fire.
  • Wildfires: Be aware of fire bans, properly extinguish campfires, and be cautious with activities that can create sparks, like dragging chains from an RV or boat trailer.

Fire Safety for Campers: If you’re taking J Bar’s “Come and Take It” restroom trailers out camping, practicing fire safety is essential. Our sanitary restrooms, though durable, will not withstand fire and can melt if exposed to flames.

Practical Fire Safety Tips

  1. Learn How to Use a Fire Extinguisher:
    • Pull the pin to unlock the extinguisher.
    • Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames.
    • Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
    • Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the fire.
  2. Have Water and Sand Ready:
    • Always have a bucket of water, sand, or a fire extinguisher nearby when barbecuing or having a bonfire.
    • Avoid using flammable liquids like gasoline to start fires.
  3. Stay Vigilant:
    • Never leave fires unattended, whether it’s a BBQ, campfire, or fire pit.
    • Ensure that all fires are completely extinguished before leaving the area.
  4. Practice Safe Habits:
    • Use designated fire pits and grills.
    • Clear the area around the fire of dry leaves and flammable materials.
    • Keep children and pets at a safe distance from fires.

JP Erskine’s Fire Safety Insight

JP Erskine, our Training and Safety Steward with 27 years of experience as a Fire Marshal in the Burnet Fire Department, offers valuable advice on fire safety:

“As the summer season extends into its hottest months, grass and wildland fires become more of a possibility. They can start from ash and embers spilling from the vents of a BBQ pit or from the chains of your RV or Boat trailer dragging the ground. Who doesn’t like s’mores? Nothing can start a grass fire quicker than a flaming marshmallow slung from its roasting stick. Prevention is worth an ounce of cure, especially when it comes to fire, but knowing how to use a fire extinguisher, and having one available to use might just be the thing that keeps your summer event from becoming a much bigger and unwanted deal.”

From Our Family To Yours

At J Bar Enterprises, our dedication to being Overcomers extends to every aspect of our operations, including fire safety. We are committed to equipping our team with the knowledge and skills needed to protect themselves, our customers, and our communities. By practicing fire safety and being prepared, you can make a significant difference in preventing fires and handling emergencies effectively.

Remember, your knowledge and preparedness can protect those around you, whether you’re at work, home, or enjoying the great outdoors. Stay safe, and have a wonderful, fire-safe summer!

Check out our other Safety Month articles

Be a Lifesaver | Connecting Safety with Core Values

Keeping Families Safe This Summer | Essential Tips from J Bar Enterprises

Family Reunion Safety | Tips for Every Generation

Core Values & J Bar Processes | Family & Self Employed Mentality

Excellence in the Ordinary & Honest Communication | Ensuring Safety

National Safety Month Finale | Save Driving & Do Unto Others

Safety Month Recap Podcast | JP Erskine Shares His Experience

Savanna Gregg
Latest posts by Savanna Gregg (see all)