Your business may be your biggest investment; but what happens if you experience a loss that threatens to dissolve that investment in a matter of minutes? Fires can happen in the blink of an eye, so it’s essential you have adequate business insurance protection that can protect your business, customers, staff, not to mention business reputation. Suffering damages due to the covered loss, fire, doesn’t have to be detrimental if you know some basic fire prevention tips for your business.
Considerations to Decrease the Risk of Fire at Your Business
If your business experiences fire damage, you can expect to suffer concrete expenses for the damages to your building, but what about some other expenses you may not have considered, such as the halt of business operations? If the damages are extensive, you may have to shut your doors while the repairs are underway, which can be costly. Not only this, but what about your employees’ and their inability to work during this time period?
Below are some recommendations on how to minimize the fire risks at your business while continuing to elevate the safety for your staff and customers:
Educate Your Staff- By educating and communicating safety protocol with your employees, you can ensure if a fire does happen, everyone will know the steps and procedures to act quickly and fittingly. Below are some key tips to executing a fool-proof plan for your staff:
- Clearly portray evacuation maps and routes.
- Communicate to your staff the method of emergency warning, such as lights flashing, bells, whistles, alarms, and/or intercom alert.
- Routinely implement education courses and fire drills so all your staff knows how to execute an emergency exit.
- Clarify an emergency exit plan that accommodates all your employees, to include those with disabilities and those who work part-time.
- Remind employees to keep fire escapes and stairwells clear.
Identify All Fire Hazards Within Your Business- Per the American Red Cross, you should identify the following possible problematic fire risks and address any issues right away that could be hazardous:
- Routinely examine all equipment and machinery for upkeep and cleanliness and address any concerns/issues that could create a fire.
- Inspect machinery and appliances to ensure there is no obstructions to prevent air circulation. All appliances should have plenty of space around them to avoid the likelihood of overheating.
- Regularly conduct an inspection of all appliance and machine cords to ensure none are split, cracked, or worn. Address any issues immediately.
- Make sure all space heaters and furnaces are safely away from any ignitable items.
- Make sure there is only one extension cord used per power outlet.
- Consistently inspect safety equipment, such as sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, and smoke alarms to ensure they are in good working order. These safety items need to be ready to use immediately, if needed.
Acknowledge Fire Prevention so You Can Protect Your New York Business Today
As a business owner, you must protect your business, employees, customers and business reputation, so preparation is key for fire prevention. If you have any questions or concerns about fire prevention at your business, call our office at Cameron Insurance Group and we will assist in every way to ensure you have the right type of insurance protection at a price you can afford. We are here for all your New York business insurance needs.
