New Year Eve’s Party Celebrations

With 2016 quickly approaching, DB Fire Safety would like to ask you to take extra care during your New Year celebrations.  Please remember that New Year party things such as fireworks, fairy lights, candles, alcohol and decorations are all potential fire hazards without proper care and attention being taken.

Here are one or two tips to help you stay safe during your New Year celebrations   Happy New Year 2016

  • If you will be welcoming the New Year in with fireworks, please store them safely in a metal box, read the instructions carefully and remember the golden rule of never returning to a lit firework.  Always keep a bucket of water handy nearby.
  • It’s tempting to join in your party’s festivities but please do not vacate the kitchen and leave any cooking unattended.
  • As your guests get into party mode, please make sure that your Christmas tree or decorations are out of harm’s reach because they can burn very easily.
  • If you have read DB Fire Safety’s hot tips for staying safe at Christmas, you will already have taken note in respect of not attaching your decorations to lights or heaters and never leave burning candles unattended.
  • And after the party, remember to switch off electrical appliances not in use – more especially fairy and outdoor lights. “Switch off & Unplug” before you go to bed.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

Check your smoke alarm every week and remember to clean it and remove any dust.

New Year celebrations are times to have fun with your family and friends, so by following DB Fire Safety tips you and your friends will keep safe and sound during the festivities.

Temporary Workplace Staff & Their Fire Safety at Christmas

With the advent of Christmas just around the corner, as a retailer you could well be taking on temporary staff to help with Fire Exit Keep Clearyour additional Christmas workload.

Christmas can be extremely busy time of year but, as a business owner you must not shirk your responsibilities in meeting the requirements of The Fire Safety Order 2005. The Fire Safety Order 2005 comes into play if you employ more than 5 people; you must have a documented fire risk assessment and you are required to provide adequate fire safety training for all Christmas temporary staff.

A nominated competent person should be given the responsibility for training temporary and/or contract staff in respect of the procedures to be followed should a fire emergency occur.

First and foremost, all temporary/contract staff should be made aware of the fire risks and hazards within their work areas in an effort to ensure they keep their working environment safe.

Training all your staff – both permanent and temporary in general fire safety awareness – makes them aware of all the potential risks to your business of a fire starting.

Training, will ensure that they do not endanger your business through unsafe practices. They will also be more aware of potential hazards and, therefore, more inclined to bring them to your attention.

The list below includes one or two advice tips to follow

  • If there is a fire, are your staff and temporary staff aware of escape routes?
  • It goes without question that all escape routes must be kept clear of any obstacles at all times.
  • Particular training should be paid to disabled staff, staff with special needs and young staff
  • Have your temporary staff been made aware of dangerous substances and how these dangerous substances could put them at risk in the case of a fire?

Please feel free to contact DB Fire Safety for more information in respect of Fire Risk Assessments and Fire Risk Training by calling 0800 772 0559

Tumble Dryer Fire Risk Recall

It’s been reported in the press recently that there are a “significant” number of dryers which were sold in the last 11 years in the UK that may need a “service” due to a fire risk fear.

The models of tumble dryers to be worried about are the large air vented dryers and the condensing dryers by Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda.Tumble Dryer Lint

Indesit have reported that excess fluff (lint) could come into contact with the heating element of the tumble dryer which could cause a fire.   Indesit are now recalling all machines which were purchased between April 2004 and October 2015.  Their advice is to continue using your machine but not to leave it unattended while in use.

Indesit will be contacting the owners of these machines to arrange a service call to modify the appliances.  There will be no charge for this and it will take approximately one hour.

The advice from DB Fire Safety is to make sure you do the following:

  1. Clean lint filters prior to each use
  2. Ensure the dryer is well ventilated
  3. Don’t leave the dryer operating unattended.

 

 

 

Stay Safe This Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner, let’s make Christmas not only a special time for celebration but also a safe Stay Safe This Christmastime for celebration.  The following are a few fire safety advice tips to help you make your home and family safe this Christmas.


Fairy Lights – as you know, there are a whole range of fairy lights from wreaths, garlands and outdoor lighting.

  • First of all check that the fuses are the right type (you will find this important information by referring to the fairy lights’ box for the maximum size of fuse you should use).
  • If any of bulbs have blown, replace them.
  • Please do not leave any fairy lights on when you go out or when you nod off in the chair or go to bed.  In other words, do not leave them unattended.
  • If you display your presents around the tree, make sure that the bulbs do not touch anything that could burn easily, for instance, the wrapping paper.
  • It’s tempting but please do not overload your sockets.
  • Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard (BS EN 60598).

Decorations

  • Decorations made of light tissue paper or cardboard can burn easily.
  • It goes without saying that you must not attach decorations to lights or heaters.
  • Please do not display your Christmas decorations above or around your fireplace.
  • Make sure that all your decorations are kept at a safe distance from candles.

Christmas Trees

Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house because a burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases.

Christmas Tree Selection

  • Before buying your fresh Christmas tree, make sure that the needles are green and difficult to pull back from the branches. The needles should not break off if the tree has been freshly cut.
  • Check out the trunk because it should be sticky to touch.
  • Do not put up a tree too early because they will only last up to two weeks before becoming a fire hazard.
  • Perhaps the Christmas tree sales person will not be happy with this approach but you can identify an old tree by bouncing the tree truck on the ground.  If many needles fall off – buyer beware – because the tree has been cut too long, it’s probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.
  • An interesting thing to note is that the risk of fire is higher with natural trees than artificial ones.
  • If you prefer to buy an artificial Christmas tree then make sure that there is a label identifying it as fire retardant.

Caring for Your Tree

  • Do not place your tree close to a fireplace or heat vent because the heat will dry out the tree – it’s advisable to place your tree at least three feet from these heat sources
  • Do not place the tree near a fireplace with a real fire because the heat, flames and sparks could easily ignite the tree.
  • Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree.
  • Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

Disposing of Your TreeCandles at Christmas

Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it safely. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to your local recycling centre.

Lit Candles
Candles are becoming more and more popular whether its Christmas or not. Please remember never to place lit candles near your Christmas tree, decorations or furnishings and never leave a burning candle unattended.

May I take this opportunity of wishing you all a very merry, but safe, Christmas from DB Fire Safety Limited.

Bonfire Night & Fire Safety

Remember, remember, the fifth of November
Gunpowder treason and plot
We see no reason
Why Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot ….

Tomorrow is the 5th November – Bonfire Night.  But why do we celebrate on the 5th with bonfires, fireworks and sparklers.

Bonfire Night commemorates the failure of the Gunpowder Plot which was hatched in November 1605 by a gang of Guy FawkesRoman Catholic protesters.

The reason they felt the need to hatch such a plot was because Catholics had hoped that when Protestant King James I began his reign, the persecution they had suffered for over 45 years during the time of Queen Elizabeth’s, reign would finally come to an end.  This didn’t happen and the Gunpowder Plot was hatched to assassinate the King and his ministers by blowing up the Palace of Westminster during the state opening of Parliament.

Guy (Guido) Fawkes and his fellow plotters rented a house near to the Houses of Parliament and somehow managed to smuggle 36 barrels of gunpowder into a cellar under the House of Lords.

Guy Fawkes was the explosive’s expert and was left in the cellar to set off the fuse.  But, at the very last moment, he was caught and the plot was foiled when a group of guards going about their duties checked the cellars.

Ironically, the cellar where Fawkes was found no longer exists because in 1834 it was destroyed in a fire which also ravaged the Houses of Parliament.

Stay safe this Bonfire Night by following the Fireworks Code:

  1. Plan your firework display carefully to make it not only safe but enjoyable.
  2. Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.Fireworks
  3. Remember to have a torch handy to read and follow the instructions on each firework.
  4. Light each firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back.
  5. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
  6. Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
  7. Don’t put fireworks in your pockets and never throw them.
  8. Direct any rockets well away from spectators.
  9. Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
  10. Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.
  11. And, last but by no means least, keep your pets safe indoors on Bonfire Night

Qualified Fire Risk Assessor

DB Fire Safety Limited is delighted to announce that David Black is now formally qualified as a fire risk assessor. David established the company a number of years ago to provide businesses with support in meeting requirements laid down by fire safety legislation.

David recently successfully passed the fire risk assessment course and examination set by The Fire Protection Association.

The Regulatory Reform  (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that all businesses carry out a fire risk assessment. It further recommends that the fire risk assessment is carried out by a competent person. Competency is defined as someone with experience or qualifications in the subject. David has many years experience and can now add qualification to demonstrate absolute competency.

If you need the services of a qualified fire risk assessor, call DB Fire Safety Limited on 0800 772 0559.

Halloween Costume Catches Fire

Halloween costumes have been known to cash fire when in close proximity to candles or other heat sources.

Please make sure your children keep candles and matches well away from their costumes.

If you don’t believe it…..read the attached article. Please make sure you have a safe Halloween.

http://m.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/what-s-on/latest-leisure-lifestyle/don-t-let-halloween-be-frightening-top-10-children-s-costume-safety-tips-1-7011639

Nightclub Fire Crisis – Without A Fire?

Fire Safety For Your Pocket

http://legacymedia.localworld.co.uk/275789/Article/images/13303494/3164349.png

A nightclub owner who put the lives of staff and revellers at risk by breaching fire safety requirements at two venues has been fined £76,000! Mr Mellor (45) from Manchester, was sentenced after failing to comply with regulations at his ‘Tokyo’ nightclubs in both Lincoln and York. The York venue actually had no working fire alarm, while in Lincoln fire exits were covered or out of reach.

Mellor’s company – Tokyo Industries Ltd – was fined £30,000 for similar offences. He was sentenced on Monday after being found guilty of 11 offences after a trial at Lincoln Crown Court and pleading guilty to one offence at York Crown Court (Tokyo Industries admitted three further offences). Together, they were also ordered to pay more than £67,000 towards prosecution costs.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: “Fire exits were blocked by chairs, tables and bags of rubbish and the emergency exit signs pointed in the wrong direction. One of the fire escape doors at the club had to be kicked and subsequently broken by a member of staff in order to open it.”

The court heard the club in York was visited by fire officers on occasions between 2013 and 2014.

Thanks to their untrustworthy and inadequate fire risk assessment on the premises, the company and the individual racked up over £100,000 in damages!

It’s not all about your safety, sometimes you have to think about your pocket too.

Don’t be the next ‘Nightclub Fire Crisis’. For guidance you can trust, call us on…

0800 772 0559

Fire Risk Assessment For Residential Care Homes

DB Fire Safety Limited has been awarded the responsibility of providing fire risk assessments for over 30 Residential Care Homes in the Midlands.

Residential Care Homes are subject to the Fire Safety Order and also inspections by The Care Quality Commission to fulfil their responsibilities to their residents in the event of a fire emergency.

Training and preparation are crucial for Residential Care Homes. Staff fire training must include ensuring that all residents can escape safely without the assistance of the Fire & Rescue services. Procedures must take into account that the residents could have restricted mobility  (either utilising wheelchairs, walkers or sticks).  Another point to remember is that residents may also have mental health issues such as dementia.

When carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment at a Residential Care Home, the following will be considered:

  • Is an emergency fire strategy in place?
  • Is there adequate evacuation equipment in place in the event of an emergency and is the evacuation equipment fit for purpose?
  • Have residents with special needs been considered?
  • Have the staff a clear knowledge and understanding of the fire safety procedures?
  • Have the staff a clean knowledge and understanding of manual handling techniques?
  • Have residents, visitors and staff been made aware of the fire escape routes?
  • Residential Care Homes must have an accurate and comprehensive Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) in place for each and every resident.
  • In the event of an emergency evacuation plan, is there an adequate place of safe shelter available?

DB Fire Safety Limited is looking forward to taking on the responsibility of providing Fire Risk Assessments on behalf of Residential Care Homes.

 

 

 

 

Contractors’ living accommodation – a disaster waiting to happen.

DB Fire Safety was ‘invited’ to carry out a fire risk assessment of a basement in an office block. We cannot name the building (obviously) but suffice it to say that there are 5 floors above the basement – all of which are under major reconstruction. On investigation, the basement had been converted into living accommodation for a large number of contractors working on the building.

Employers must realise and understand that they have a serious duty of care to ensure the safety of all their staff – regardless of their country of origin.

This basement was a disaster waiting to happen. There were no ‘full-height’ partition walls between bedrooms; no fire doors on bedrooms; no testing of the electrical fixed wiring; accepted use of portable electrical appliances that had not been tested. The list went on and on.

Fortunately the HSE and Fire Authority are now involved. If this was a standard HMO it would be shut down immediately.