Bucks Fire and Rescue urge businesses to stay safe in lockdown

Buckinghamshire businesses are being urged to make sure their properties are safe during lockdown.

Lots of Buckinghamshire businesses are once again having to adapt to employees working from home, some may not have brought them back into the office since last March.

However, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue say there is a risk to the property with employees at home.

Small issues with a property are often spotted by employees, and many dealt with before they become a real issue.

Steve Cooke, Station Commander responsible for Fire Safety at Milton Keynes for Bucks Fire Service, says empty businesses can be dangerous:

"So whenever there is any change in how businesses operate is poses a challenge to areas beyond just the operation of it.

"We need to focus on any safety risks there may be to the business and anyone who may frequent the building.

"Many small premises don't even need automatic fire detection and its reliant on people throughout the building.

"So its people noticing problems, maybe with maintenance like water or equipment, and dealing with it.

"Sometimes without even calling the fire service, but there is now the potential it could get worse without someone there to find it."

Bucks Fire and Rescue have suggested these steps for businesses:

• Consider ways in which someone could start a fire inside or outside your property. Take responsibility and act on any issues you identify.
• Protect your property. Seek advice on security, good lighting and CCTV – these can all act as a deterrent, to anyone who may harm or damage your property.
• Sign up to your local neighbourhood network schemes. These can help alert you to any anti-social behaviour within the area.
• Where possible, in line with Government guidance, make a visit. Check your smoke and alarm systems are working, and any electrical appliances which are not designed to be left on, are switched off.
• Ensure all internal and external doors are shut and locked where appropriate. This will help prevent intruders and, should a fire break out, doors can act as a fire break or delay fire spread.
• Ask your employees to keep an eye on social media posts and, where possible, the current status of your business premises.
• Take measures to ensure there are no visible signs that your building is unoccupied over a long period of time. For example, arrange for mail and deliveries to be redirected or, where possible, collected.
• Farms, small holdings and isolated commercial units can also be vulnerable. Lighting around barns and outbuildings can deter the opportunist thief and the would-be arsonist.

Steve Cooke says so far there does not seem to be an increase of fire call outs because of empty properties but its something everyone should look out for:

"It is in all our interest to try and support local businesses and keep them going.

"In the meantime we can do that by being their eyes and eyes.

"So when you're doing your daily exercise be vigilant to anything which might be even more out of the norm than how things are at the moment."

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• buckinghamshire fire and rescue
• Fire
• lockdown