Christmas is a time for having fun - however it’s also a time when extra fire hazards are introduced into the home such as fairy lights, candles and decorations. To make your home and workplace as free from the risk of fire as possible, it is best to ensure the following guidelines are met:

1. Choose British Standard fairy lights.
2. Check that your Christmas lights are in good working condition before they are used, replacing blown bulbs as necessary.
3. Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials.
4. Never leave a burning candle unattended or use candles to decorate your Christmas tree.
5. Turn your Christmas lights off when you go to bed or go out.
6. Make certain that the Christmas light bulbs do not touch anything that burns easily such as paper, fabric or card.
7. Check the battery on your smoke alarm and if the battery needs replacing – replace it straight away.
8. Never leave cooking unattended – most fires start in the kitchen.
9. Fire risk assessments are not just for the workplace; they can be an extremely helpful guide in indentifying any potential fire hazards at home. Ensure all family members and guests are aware of your emergency evacuation plan.
10. Make sure cigarettes are completely extinguished at all times.
11. If you are using a real Christmas tree keep it well watered to stop it from drying out - shorts in electrical lights start tree fires.
12. Do you have a fire extinguisher at home? If you do, check that it is in perfect working order and replace if necessary.

Have a happy and safe Christmas!

 

There is no doubt that implementing good housekeeping practices in offices and workplaces  can significantly reduce the chances of a fire starting and will help to minimise its spread if a fire does break out.  The following is a list of guidelines to ensure that your work premises has as low a risk of an office fire as possible.

• Ensure that all fire exits and fire escape routes are cleared from obstructions at all times.
• Ensure all air conditioning or conditioning/heating units are regularly serviced and maintained to reduce a build up of dust and dirt and to make sure they are working effectively.
• Check that all electrical appliances are in good working order, that plugs are not overloaded and that unused electrical items are switched off at the end of the working day.
• Have good security systems in place to deter arson attacks.
• Store solvents and all other flammable materials away from sources of heat.
• Fire extinguishers should be tested and maintained at least once a year.
• Ensure that all escape routes are well lit with the appropriate fire safety signs displayed.
• Keep your fire register up to date.
• Do not stack rubbish so high that it could impede the effective operation of sprinklers or fire alarm systems.
• Carry out regular fire alarm tests.
• Keep stationery/archive cupboard doors closed at all times, particularly if they contain large amounts of paper.
• Ensure that all equipment that could provide a source of ignition is left in a safe condition, even when not in use.

Remember that after October 2006 all business must now carry out a fire risk assessment and maintain a fire management plan, Assseco can help businesses to perform their fire risk assessment and produce a suitable fire management plan.