Fire Safety: It only takes 1 person to start a fire

Fires are indiscriminate and destructive both in the workplace and outside it. Fire safety officials urge all businesses to create and uphold a fire safety plan regardless of the size of your business or working space. Some say that startups are even more at risk due to the fact they are less likely to have a fire safety plan in place. Even if you work in a small office, it is important to have a fire safety plan because it only takes one person to cause a fire. This is evident by the 346,000 or 26% of all reported fires per year that are house fires and fires that occur in small areas by the actions of few people. When fires do happen, you need to be prepared and take advantage of fire and life safety services to minimize the damage. All of these measures should be outlined in your company’s fire safety plan. To help you create a complete plan we have outlines some of the most important considerations for creating a company fire safety plan below: 

1. Fire safety plans should include anti-fire equipment and safety services. This may include installing sprinklers, fire extinguishers and loud fire alarms to either put out small fires or help everyone evacuate safely.
2. Provide emergency exit strategies to help those that naturally panic during a fire know where to go, what to do, or who to seek during a fire emergency. This prevents trampling, tripping, pushing and other reasons people may get hurt. Appointing an emergency leader with a fire safety or health background is another good strategy to get everyone to cooperate.
3. Provide visual tools like detailed instructions and maps of where fire alarms and exits are. If someone is unfamiliar with the building or their surroundings they need to be educated immediately. 
4. Have a plan for people with disabilities. Who will help them evacuate downstairs if they are unable to walk or have someone assigned to people with epilepsy to monitor them in case the stress triggers a seizure.
5. Include mandatory fire drills in your safety training. Drills are essential in ensuring things go as smoothly as possible during an actual emergency. In a drill everyone learns their role or who to seek to find out where to go and what to do to help. Drills should be both planned and unplanned.
6. Managers must perform regular maintenance that focuses on fire safety procedures. For example, routinely check that equipment and exits are accessible and correctly installed.

The best way to keep your workers and business safe from a fire related tragedy is by setting up the necessary precautions and fire safety plan and procedure. To learn more, visit: https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2023/01/06/Smallest-Offices-Need-a-Fire-Safety-Plan.aspx?Page=3#.

DII is your partner when it comes to workplace safety, whether that’s at the office or at home. Our team of experts can work with you to understand the best plan of action for your workplace and how to keep your employees safe from fire disasters at work. Please contact your DII representative for more information. #FireSafety #Plan