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If you have opened a magazine or turned on the television any time in the last 20 years, then you probably are familiar with the following admonition given by a popular cartoon bear: "Only you can prevent forest fires." Unfortunately, there is no cartoon character, bear or otherwise, warning people about workplace fire hazards. The equipment you already have in place, such as fire sprinklers in Berkeley Heights, will get you so far. However, by heeding some of these common fire safety tips while you are on the clock, you can make the workplace a safer, happier place to be. Keep the Workplace Clean Perhaps the simplest things that you can do to prevent fires from breaking out at the workplace is also the easiest, yet most common contributor of workplace fires. That is to keep the workplace as clean as possible. There are many ways that clutter in the office can contribute to a fire starting. For example, if you have paper sitting out, electrical cords sitting out in a tangle on your desk, or the space is cluttered in general, these things provide fuel for fires that have already started. If you have things placed in front of emergency exits or in the paths between cubicles, this also poses a fire hazard. Maintain Office Equipment You don't have to work in a gigantic industrial facility in order to have equipment that can easily start a fire. Something as simple as a copy machine that hasn't been maintained in a while can lead to overheating or friction sparks between mechanisms in the machine itself. Overheating is also a major issue and in terms of preventing fire hazards, you should have it maintained by a professional that specializes in that equipment specifically to keep it running well and safely. Report Hazards One of the best things that you can do to maintain a fireproof workplace is to report any electrical hazards that you see. If there is faulty wiring or equipment that is malfunctioning, make sure to report it to the proper supervisor so that the problem can be resolved by a qualified technician as soon as possible. It is also important that when you do see an electrical problem that poses a fire safety hazard that you do not try to fix the problem on your own. Instead, report it and make sure the work is done by a licensed electrician. Be Vigilant about Security Not all fires are unfortunate accidents. In order to protect the office from arson, be vigilant about building security in whatever capacity you are in. If you are instructed to lock up for the night, make sure you are following all of the instructions and putting in place every line of security you can. Furthermore, if you see anybody who looks suspicious, report it. It might turn out to be nothing, but as the old adage says, it is better to be safe than sorry. Know How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Every office building should have a fire extinguisher or several fire extinguishers throughout the building, depending on the size and layout of the building. Every employee working in the building should be properly trained on using a fire extinguisher. If you call around, you will find that there are different companies and organizations that train companies on fire safety and how to use fire extinguishers as part of that training. If you manage a group of employees or a department, hold regular safety training sessions wherein you show your employees where the fire extinguishers are and what to do in the event of a fire. Ultimately, if a fire breaks out at your place of business, you are going to rely heavily on the fire safety equipment in the building, such as the fire sprinklers in Berkeley Heights. However, following these basic fire prevention tips will minimize the risk of a blaze and keep everyone happier and safer.
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