As the planet becomes hotter and drier, the fire season in many parts of the world is getting longer. The past few years have been especially difficult, with large wildfires burning in California, Australia, Russia, and other countries. However, fire isn’t just a problem for forests; it’s also a significant hazard to buildings. In fact, according to Comfy Living, residential buildings account for 30% of all fires.

There are many things that property owners, school districts, property managers, and others can do to protect their buildings from fire. Here are a few tips.

1. Make Sure Your Building is Up to Code

Getting up to code involves installing and maintaining fire sprinklers, fire alarms, and other fire safety systems. It also means having the right type of fire extinguisher for your building. You’ll also want to make sure that all doors and windows are fire-resistant.

2. Have Regular Fire Inspections

A fire inspection is a crucial part of fire safety. Fire inspections help identify fire hazards and ensure that fire safety systems are working properly. You should have a qualified fire inspector perform a fire inspection on your property at least once a year.

3. Educate Your Employees and Tenants

Ensure your employees and tenants know what to do during a fire. People should know how to evacuate the building safely and use fire extinguishers. Having regular fire drills lets everyone know what to do and where to go in the event of a fire.

4. Keep Your Building Clean and Free of Clutter

One of the best ways to prevent fires is to keep your building clean and free of clutter. Clutter includes things like paper, boxes, and other flammable materials. Check that all electrical cords are in good condition and that there are no loose wires.

5. Have a Fire Safety Plan

Your fire safety plan should include evacuation routes, fire alarm procedures, and fire extinguisher locations. Everyone in your building should know the plan and be familiar with it — so practice it regularly. Take an extra step and use posters to map out the fire safety plan so it’s easy for everyone to follow.

By following these tips, business owners can help protect their buildings from fires. Building safety is everyone’s responsibility, so educate your employees and tenants about staying safe and how to act if a fire occurs. To help reduce your risk of fire, schedule a fire inspection from FireTron today.