Fire Prevention Awareness Month

St. Paul, Minn. (Oct. 5, 2016) – No matter what type of business operations are occurring at your workplace, fire safety should always be a leading concern. Below are some items to assist you in preventing fires at your organization.

Fire Prevention Preparation Checklist

• Does your organization have fire extinguisher inspections and employee training monthly?
• Are your work areas free of paper waste, trash and other items that can easily catch fire?
• Are combustibles kept away from heat producing equipment?
• Have your electrical cords been routinely checked?
• If a cord is damaged in any way, replace it. Try not to lay cords in places where they can be stepped on, driven over or pinched in door openings.
• Are you overloading your circuits or using gang receptacles?
• Is your organization making sure to turn off non-critical electrical appliances at the end of each day?
• Has your organization performed periodic emergency action plan drills for evacuation or specific emergency scenarios? Have those evacuation plans or procedures been routinely updated?

In Case of a Fire:

• Unless employees have been appropriately trained in fire extinguisher use, upon observing a fire, call 911 from a safe location immediately and don’t hang up with the emergency responder until told to do so.
• When indoors, close fire doors to help limit the spread of smoke and fire throughout the building. Never use elevators during an evacuation.
• Follow the pre-established escape plan and meet at a pre-determined place outside of your building and away from danger. Use a buddy system and conduct a headcount to ensure all of your employees have evacuated.

Fire safety tips on a variety of life safety and fire prevention topics in business and at home are available for free from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

This blog is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel for legal advice. Content is provided by our professional consulting partners at Integrated Loss Control (ILC).