Fire safety errors often turn into tragic events. According to the National Fire Protection Association, about 3,340 office fires happen yearly. Most businesses will have some fire safety protocols in place, like having fire extinguishers for businesses. However, this is far from the only step you need to take to prevent business fires. Here are five mistakes to avoid if you want to keep your employees safe.

1. Not Having Fire Control Equipment

Every business, at a minimum, should have fire extinguishers for businesses conveniently located. Everyone in your building should know where they can find fire extinguishers and have basic knowledge about how to use them. Make fire safety a part of your training protocol. Fire safety training, including learning how to use fire extinguishers for businesses, can save lives.

2. Blocking Emergency Exits

If the fire marshal does a surprise inspection of your business and finds you have boxes stacked in front of the emergency exit, that is a fineable offense. Keep access to emergency doors free of clutter. You also want to ensure that any firefighting equipment is easily accessible and there is a clear path to the equipment. Emergency exits should have illuminated signs indicating that they are exits.

3. Using Too Many Extension Cords

If your workplace has a web of extension cords weaving around the floor, that’s a fire code violation, with good reason. The Insurance Institute finds that 49% of all fires start from an electrical source. Unplug the extension cords and upgrade the electrical system to provide enough direct power.

4. Faulty Smoke Alarms

That chirping sound when a smoke alarm needs its batteries replaced can be annoying, but don’t disconnect it. Smoke alarms are an important part of a fire safety system. They’re often the first indicator of a fire. It’s also against the fire code not to have a working smoke alarm system.

5. Not Having a Fire Emergency Plan

What would you do if a fire broke out in your business? Do employees know where to go? It’s important that you have a fire exit plan and that everyone in the building understands what they should do. Many businesses will create a fire safety team and put the team in charge of training everyone in the building. This is an excellent way to prepare for emergencies.

By avoiding the mistakes above, you can better protect employees in the case of a fire. Fire extinguishers for businesses are a good first step in increasing fire safety, but they’re not the only thing you need to keep your business safe. For more assistance in fire prevention, contact FireTron today.