Coronavirus Update January 2021

With the announcement of the new national lockdown we’ve put together some information for the public and businesses and the measures you can take to help us, help you at this current time:

View our COVID Secure Statement for our workplaces.

• Firstly we can all help reduce the spread of the virus by following the government guidance 
• Make sure you have smoke alarms fitted and that they work. You can test them by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds.  If alarms that we’ve fitted are faulty or have started chirping please read the Smoke Alarm FAQ page . If you have any concerns about this please contact us by phone 01609 780150 or by email cao.serviceinformation@northyorksfire.gov.uk.
• Take extra care in the kitchen, where it’s easy to get distracted. Don’t leave pans unattended and keep tea towels and clothes away from hobs and grills.
• Don’t overload electrical sockets. You can check by using the Electrical Safety First socket calculator
• Take care if you’re using heaters during this colder weather. Keep them away from flammable items and don’t be tempted to use them to dry clothes.
• Check if elderly friends, family and neighbours are ok by calling or messaging them 

Business Safety 

• During lockdown, Business Fire Safety Inspectors are still working and are still available to offer guidance and support.
• Contact can be made by calling 01609 780150 and asking for your local Business Fire Safety Team, or you can use our Ask us a question form.
• Fire Safety Inspectors are continuing to conduct audits and appraisals of fire safety provision within businesses that are still operating, via the telephone, or in person when necessary.

 If you are still operating

• You may very well be working under new or changed circumstances. If you are, we would urge you to review and adapt your emergency procedures to take account of the changes that have taken place.
• Consider what you’ll do if you have a fire. What actions will you want people to take? Make sure all staff, including temporary workers, know what procedure to follow in an emergency.
• All staff should know how to evacuate the building safely. They should know where the fire exits and call points are, and the location of fire extinguishers.
• Reduce risks as much as possible. Take simple actions like switching off electrical appliances when they’re not being used, keeping the workplace tidy, having a safe smoking policy, restricting the use of portable heaters and not overloading electrical sockets.
• If you’re storing extra stock at the moment because of changes to your business, then have a think about how you do this. Make sure you don’t block fire exits, and that combustible items are stored away from sources of ignition.
• Keep your fire doors shut. This will stop fire and smoke spreading through your building.  It reduces damage and allows time to evacuate.
• Make sure you review your fire risk assessment to reflect any changes that have taken place and this will help to keep everyone safe from fire.

If you have had to close

• Consider your security measures. Do you need an intruder alarm installed? What about external and internal lighting? Have you considered getting extra staff for security?
• Assess any vulnerable access points to your building.  Check they’re protected. Check your doors and windows to make sure they’re secure.
• Do you need to notify your insurers of the fact that you have closed temporarily? 
• To safeguard your business, plan in routine inspections and make sure keyholders are nominated and the details are up to date. This is particularly important if you have a fire alarm linked to an Alarm Receiving Centre.
• Has all refuse been removed from inside and outside your building or site, including any skips? 
• Have all non-essential services been disconnected or isolated? If you can disconnect or turn off as much as possible, that will help to reduce the risk of a fire starting.