Christmas is invariably a busy time for the emergency services. For the fire brigade it’s the second busiest period behind bonfire night. This is a time when most of us relax with friends and family; a time when perhaps fire safety is not foremost in our thoughts. But the risks still exist.
Keeping safe at home
There are many ways in which you can keep yourself safer from fire at home and little things can make all the difference. Most appliances in the house can be turned off at the mains but in an age where everything is remote controlled, that extra effort is a step too far for many of us and, unfortunately, this can prove deadly. The chances are slim that any of your appliances will ever cause a fire but if they are unplugged, the risk is removed altogether.
More fires are caused by human error than by electrical appliances and there are some simple steps to mitigate these risks too. A timer with an alarm when cooking saves burning the dinner and could very well save your life. If you’re so tired that you’re drifting off, make sure you stub out that cigarette. Indeed consider restricting smoking to the garden and always ensure that cigarettes are thoroughly extinguished.
To really make sure that your house is as safe as possible, a specialist fire suppression company such as http://www.mainpoint.co.uk/ can add an additional level of protection, should the worst happen.
Fire safety at work
Most places of work are now fairly aware when it comes to fire safety but the statistics still make for a shocking read. Over the last ten years 03/04-13/14 there were 11,156 fires in retail and vehicle trade premises, 8,837 fires in recreational facilities and 5,041 fires in cafes, restaurants, pubs and similar places of business.
When it comes to the working environment, legislation requires that there is a fire escape plan and an assembly point. The designated fire marshals should ensure that all staff are familiar with this and should organise regular system tests to check that both fire equipment and the escape plans are working correctly.
Whenever you visit new or unfamiliar premises, ensure that you know the location of the nearest exit and fire fighting equipment. It may well save your life and the lives of others.