If you have a position of responsibility for staff, you have probably installed fire extinguishers in your workplace or meeting place. There are rules and regulations which force us to have fire extinguishers, but how many business owners talk over with their staff, the issues of fire safety and fire safety equipment.

In a workplace where there are numerous people in a small space, panic can set in very quickly when there is a fire. Fear drives people to do all sorts of weird and wonderful things.

Not all fire extinguishers are for the same purpose. Many people do not realise this and this lack of knowledge could be life threatening. Have you ever taken the time to show your staff individually, or in small groups, exactly how to use a fire extinguisher and what fire extinguisher to use under what circumstances?

A WATER FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Just as it says, there is a water fire extinguisher, and this is used for putting out fires with paper, cloth, wood or cardboard. Nothing like rubbish bin contents catching from a cigarette butt.

CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER

A 2Kg weight CO2 fire extinguisher is idea for most situations where are fire may start near electrical wiring. This could be in a kitchen, a work station with technological equipment, a meeting room, and also great for a home environment. These are very suitable for shops and warehouses.

You can see how your staff may not know which extinguisher to use, especially younger staff coming into the workforce. Showing these to new staff should be part of new staff initiation.

Have your fire extinguisher situated in an obvious place, and have the Instruction Sign right beside it. It is pointless having an extinguisher if you are not going to have the Instructions near by. This will give people the best chance in the case of fire. Near the exit door always seems to be a good place because people will see it as they start to leave the building, or will be passing it every time they go outside.

Every couple of months bring the attention of the staff to your fire safety strategy and make sure that your extinguishers are checked within their due date.

We all tend to believe it will not happen to me. But a fire is just like drowning, you know the problem is there, you know you should be aware of it, and you know you need to know how to prevent it.

Everyone should have this knowledge of fire safety, and it is each and every persons responsibility to know how to use fire extinguishers before there is a fire.

Tags: Home Security