With the recent high temperatures, fire has been at an elevated risk level of late. The risk from arson and accidental fires needs careful monitoring to prevent a possible disaster.
What’s the risk?
In hot weather, grass, trees and vegetation around properties, becomes dry. If there is external rubbish, unprotected skips or outside storage areas, there is a potential risk of it catching fire.
When we visit factories, warehouses and offices, we often find excessive overgrowth this time of year. Sometimes, this overgrowth restricts emergency exits which is highly dangerous. With the school holidays, there is the risk of children playing in areas they shouldn’t and experimenting with things such as lighters. There is also a fire risk from staff carelessly smoking outdoors and not properly disposing of cigarettes.
Don’t get caught out, plan ahead. Keep flammable items well away from buildings, keep skips and bins locked and provide staff with relevant safety briefings. Ensure gas cylinders are stored appropriately and carry out regular safety walks around the premises. Keep a track of temperatures in your stores. If you store chemicals, paints, flammable liquids or substances, ensure they are being monitored. Do not let them be stored above their optimal storage temperatures.
As always, keep your fire risk assessments up to date; monitor fire exits are opening easily as doors can swell; and keep staff briefed of safety risks. Consider providing external fire extinguishers, particularly in narrow or long external escape routes or near areas with fire risk such as bin stores and smoking areas. Keep track of fire marshals, particularly in the summer holiday period. Make sure you always have a sufficient number of trained fire marshals and that your sweep search plan is up to date.
The summer is a great time for keeping track of fire safety. Keep monitoring and protect your business and staff from fire.
If you need assistance with fire risk assessments, fire evacuation plans or online training, we can help.
JCH Safety are Coventry and Warwickshire’s leading fire safety experts. Working across Leicestershire and the wider West Midlands. Don’t hesitate to get in touch.