Disasters, no matter how big or small, never come at an opportune time. More often than not, they arrive when we’re complacent and relaxed, forcing us to make quick decisions to keep ourselves and our families out of harm’s way. In such events, we can only hope that we have prepared enough.
The effects of power outages are often underestimated, but it’s often more than just being in the dark. It might be easy if it’s just your home, but what if it’s an entire building without power? How do you keep safe if you can’t see anything in the halls and stairways?
Accidents are more likely to happen in the dark
The likelihood of devastating accidents increases by a large margin during a blackout or brownout. Dimly lit areas with little access to natural lightings, like storage spaces, kitchens in restaurants, and the inner areas of buildings, are more susceptible to dangerous and life-threatening accidents.
This problem is especially pervasive in the US, which experiences a generally higher-than-average number of long-lasting power outages than other developed countries.
To prepare for power outages and other related emergencies, you must have a well-maintained set of emergency lights in your building. They can assuage panic, help bring people to safety much more quickly, and reduce the risk of accidents and injury.
The numbers don’t lie
A 2013 study showed that the 2003 blackout in New York City led to a massive increase in accident-related deaths—an astounding 122 percent. The deaths were not just out of tripping or falling but included carbon monoxide poisoning, food poisoning, hypothermia, and so on.
This revealed that power outages are likely to happen due to another type of emergency situation, such as fires and inclement weather.
While a blackout is an extreme case, it can show the dangerous effects of having to live without lights and electricity.
Another study found that a third of US workers feel they would not be able to navigate their workplace safely in a power outage, with 50 percent of US adults feeling unsafe about their chances going up and down staircases in the same conditions.
While most offices have an emergency plan, 42 percent said they would have trouble executing that plan anyway.
The way out is lighting
A building manager should make sure that appropriate emergency lighting is installed, especially in areas where more traffic could be expected in the event of an emergency. This includes hallways, staircases (especially since elevators are not an option), and emergency exits.
Depending on the state or location, regular (around once a month or so) testing of your emergency lighting equipment is mandatory. They must be tested for functionality and battery longevity, to ensure safety in emergency situations.
It is also imperative to maintain diligent records of inspections, as your local government units might request these during inspections. Any failures in testing or failed equipment must be recorded and replaced as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Prevention, in whatever case or situation, will always be better than cure. Emergency lighting is a way to mitigate the risks of dealing with unexpected events and can protect the inhabitants of any building. Compromising on safety is likely to result in the destruction of property, bodily harm, or even fatalities.
For more information on emergency lighting in New Jersey, consult us at Atlantic Fire Protection. We provide security measures for a wide range of disasters.