The New Year is well and truly just around the corner and therefore it’s time to start thinking about your New Year’s resolutions for the twelve months ahead. As a business owner, you likely have a lot of resolutions for your business or company; perhaps you want to expand your team or maybe you’d like to move to a bigger office in a more suitable location.
One thing that should always be a top priority for business owners is fire safety. Making sure your employees, clients and customers are safe is a huge responsibility that needs to be taken very seriously - and it’s important that all the necessary measures and precautions are in place to both prevent and protect your employees from fires.
Here are four New Year’s resolutions to make sure your business or organisation is up to date on fire safety for the year ahead.
Check your fire risk assessment is up to date
As an employer or building manager you should have already completed a fire risk assessment. However, once it’s done, that doesn’t mean your responsibility is over. Your fire risk assessment can very easily fall out of date - but the New Year is the perfect time to review it and ensure everything is up to date. Make sure you check for any changes in the workplace that could affect fire hazards and dangers in your workplace.
Create a testing schedule
To ensure all of your fire safety equipment stays in top condition, it’s important you carry out regular maintenance. It’s crucial you get into a good habit of testing and checking your alarms and emergency lighting; we recommend scheduling in a test around once a week. Remember, the person who carries out the tests should be suitably trained and know what they’re doing.
Declutter your workplace
Clutter can be a huge hazard. Over the year, it’s not uncommon for clutter to build up in the workplace, but it’s important you head into the New Year with a clean, clear space. All walkways should be kept clutter-free and all fire safety equipment and exits should be clear and accessible at all times. Leaving things lying around can make it extremely difficult for people to exit your building in the event of a fire, which is why all access points need to be clear.
Inspect your leads and sockets
The New Year is also the perfect time to inspect your plugs and sockets. Warm power outlets or plugs that spark can be extremely dangerous and a huge fire hazard, and therefore it’s important you keep an eye out for any problems and have them sorted right away. Look out for worn and frayed wires and dark marks around your sockets. If you notice any problems, it’s crucial you call in a professional as soon as possible.
At EK Fire Protection, we offer professional fire protection services in Kent and across the South East. Designed to meet your budget, our bespoke packages offer the right amount of training, support and provision of equipment for your facility. We specialise in fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting, risk assessments and training. For more information, visit our website.
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