Do you hide behind the knowledge that you have installed fire extinguishers in your workplace or meeting place. By that I mean, rules and regulations force us to have fire extinguishers, but how many business owners talk over with their staff, the issues of fire safety.

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

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? Not all fire extinguishers are for the same purpose, and many people do not realise this. For example, it can be quite disastrous if a water fire extinguisher is used for an electrical fire.

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. Using a 9Kg water fire extinguisher will be of great benefit in the case of fire.

CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER

A CO2 fire extinguisher is ideal for most situations where a fire may start near electrical wiring. This could be in a kitchen, a work station with technological equipment, a meeting room, and it is also great for a home environment. These are also 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 fire extinguishers are checked within their due date. If you have more than one in a bigger environment, make sure they are all checked, and that all staff know the exact placement of the fire extinguishers.

Experiencing a fire is something we all tend to believe will not happen to me. 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.