Business Tips- To keep your business safe

Introducing some simple measures can help to reduce the risk of fire at your workplace.

• Ensure that all electrical circuits and equipment in the workplace are inspected and tested on a regular basis. (Switch off electrical equipment when it is not in use and particularly at the end of the day).
• Smoking is still a major cause of fires in buildings. Consider having a "no smoking" policy at your workplace and prohibit smoking in storage areas
• Ensure ALL staff are alert to suspicious behaviour.
• Check your security arrangements are in place and working well - you should, however, have your fire and alarm system regularly checked. Invest in a monitoring service to watch your property 24-7 and respond promptly.
• Some businesses have kitchens for staff to prepare food themselves. Make sure toasters and microwave ovens are not sited in the office areas and are available only in the kitchen areas.
• Ensure all portable heaters if in use, are securely guarded and properly fixed to prevent them from easily being knocked over. Also place them well away from any materials which could easily ignite.
• Invest time in fire safety management; prepare contingency plans and determine evacuation procedures.
• Make sure that escape routes and exits are clear and accessible at all times.
• Practice fire drills and educate all parties on how to reduce the risk of malicious fires.
• Deter unauthorised entry onto your premises by monitoring all visitors and their movements; instruct staff to report any suspicious or unauthorised individual.
• Keep boundaries to the premises secure by restricting access from low roofs and other buildings.
• Protect high-value equipment/goods - control access to stock rooms or manager's offices or use security tagging of equipment for peace of mind.
• Set up partnerships - share information with other businesses and link with community police officers and other crime prevention groups in your area.
• To provide additional protection for the building at night time, external security lighting should be installed.
• Waste materials and rubbish are easy targets for the arsonist, so ensure that all such material is carefully stored away and not left lying around about where it can be easily ignited. Carry out an Arson risk assessment as part of your fire risk assessment, in accordance with the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations.
• If you are closing down for a period, put your email on 'auto response' so that anyone who tries to contact you will get an automatic reply saying your calls are being monitored and dealt with .
• Nominate a person responsible for securing your building at the end of each day.