Fire safety systems like Emergency Lighting, Extinguishers and Fire Alarms ensure that your staff, visitors and students can safely evacuate the school in the event of a fire. But what precautions are you taking to prevent a fire in the first place?
In this blog post, we highlight 5 school fire safety tips you should revise to minimise risk.
School fire safety - Five essential precautions to take!
In today's classrooms, teachers rely heavily on electronic equipment such as interactive whiteboards and PCs! Overloaded plug sockets and extension cables can become a fire hazard.
Consider investing in surge protected extension leads for additional safety. Cables should also be checked to make sure there are no open wires or breaks.
According to Churchill.com, it is important to note the amp restriction of your extension lead and whether the devices you are plugging in exceed this restriction. Electrical Safety First point out that the amp restriction is usually shown on the back or underside of the extension lead.
Checking this information before plugging in any devices reduces the risk of an overload and potential fire. Before you leave the premises at night, ensure that all plugs are turned off after hours to prevent electronics overheating.
As tempting as it is to chat with the other teachers in the staff room while you wait for your lunch to heat up, don't leave your food unattended. If food begins to smoke, remove it immediately and turn the microwave off. It only takes a second to start a fire, so a few minutes in the microwave is more than enough time!
Ensure the microwave is cleaned regularly to avoid debris building up in the system. Since teachers have a lot on their plates, this is a job for the school cleaner.
According to Which?, faulty fridges and fridge freezers accounted for 501 household fires between 1 April 2014 & 31 March 2016. Make a note of the manufacturer and do some research online. Look at reviews and any safety standard certifications the product may have. Additionally, listen out for any peculiar noises that could indicate a malfunction.
If what you discover isn't good, consider approaching the school board about investing in a new fridge. It's better to be safe than sorry!
The National Fire Protection Association showed that oven fires are extremely common and this is especially true when amateur cooks are involved! Ensure that you have the correct type of fire extinguisher and/or blanket handy so that any fire can be dealt with in good time. You don't want your catering teacher running around the school trying to find the nearest suitable defence if a fire breaks out!
It can often be seen as a "joke" amongst students to mess around with the Bunsen burner during a lesson, so ensure that every fire safety precaution is in place. Equip science classrooms with extinguishers and fire blankets to combat any small fires.
Additionally, ensure that your classroom has a master switch for staff that regulates gas tap usage. This way, the taps are switched off when not in use for educational purposes. You don't want your classroom filling with flammable gas!
As the Responsible Person, are you doing everything you should be?
If you're the responsible person, you are in charge of keeping your students safe, but what happens if you don't? To avoid facing unlimited fines or a prison sentence if the worst should happen, download our free guide that outlines 10 things the responsible person MUST do! Click here or tap the image below.
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