Christmas is a wonderful time of year when the family gets together, but unfortunately, it's also a time where we see an increased risk of fires in the home. With Christmas lights hung from the tree, a cosy fire in the hearth and a Christmas dinner cooking in the kitchen, there are a lot of opportunities for an accidental fire to start... especially if you've had a few drinks! Here are some harrowing statistics from the National Accident Helpline that put things into perspective:

• More than 500,000 people have had a fire-related accident in the home
• Roughly 1,000 people are injured by their Christmas tree every year
• Christmas tree lights injure nearly 350 people annually
• 50% of fire-related deaths occur over Christmas
• 16.7% of fire deaths in 2010 occurred in December
• 26 people died between 1997 and 2010 in the UK of electrocution while watering their Christmas tree with the lights on

As you can see, there is a real risk of house fires during the Christmas period, so it's important that you take precautions to keep your family safe. Here are a few things you can do to prevent a house fire in your home this Christmas.

1. Switch unattended Christmas lights off

2. Don't use Christmas lights with frayed or damaged cables

3. Move candles away from the Christmas tree, presents, wrapping paper & soft furnishings

4. Keep an eye on children, especially if they're near the fire, candles or the Christmas tree

5. Never hang decorations off lights, radiators or other heat sources

6. Don't be tempted to overload electrical sockets

7. Check that the cooker is switched off after you cook your Christmas dinner

Most importantly, ensure your fire alarm is working!

If there's one thing you take away from this blog, we implore you to check that your fire alarm is working this Christmas period. Your fire alarm should be checked year-round to ensure it's operating properly, otherwise, you could find yourself in a sticky situation if a fire occurred.

If you don't already have a fire alarm system in your home, we can help you. We build, install and maintain fire alarm systems in both residential and commercial properties. Find out more about our fire alarms below.

Fire Alarms from IDS Security >

Read More: Fire Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Schools and colleges must do what they can protect students and staff members from fire. A well-maintained fire alarm system is one of the most crucial components of that effort.

More...

There’s no disputing the fact that fire alarms save lives. Moreover, they also save buildings, businesses and homes too, making them a hugely beneficial addition to any property.

However, that’s not to say they are perfect. Like any safety appliance, fire alarms can also cause issues, particularly if they’re triggered by mistake. False fire alarms are a massive burden to firefighters nationwide and cost the fire service untold amounts of time, money and resources.

As such, preventing false fire alarms should be a priority for any business owner with a fire safety measure in place.

Implications of False Fire Alarms

According to the London Fire Brigade, there were an astounding 38,000 false fire alarms in 2017. That figure equates to 104 false calls a day!

Not only is this a waste of time for the hard-working members of the fire brigade, but it’s also taking up precious time that could be better spent elsewhere, attending real emergencies and saving those in need.

If your workers are pre-conditioned by previous false alarms to believe an alarm doesn’t need their urgent attention, a real incident can result in slowed reactions which can translate to catastrophe.

So, as you can see, there are a few very important reasons that you do what you can to prevent false fire alarms for your safety and the safety of those around you.

False Fire Alarm Penalty UK

Local authorities have been toying with the idea of implementing a false fire alarm fine system for several years now; however, nothing has been set in stone as of this writing. That being said, persistent false-callers and re-offenders may be charged if proposed plans continue.

As of June 2019, London Fire Brigade planned to implement changes if they attended eight false alarms at the same site within 12 months, with further plans to charge for every additional false call-out that occurred thereafter.

Furthermore, while there isn’t an official system in place for a UK false fire alarm penalty at the moment, that’s not to say that a false fire alarm doesn’t incur some hefty costs all the same. If fire brigade resources are taken up unnecessarily, it could well hinder the treatment of a very real fire elsewhere. It is always in your interest to prevent false fire alarms wherever possible.

Common Causes of False Fire Alarms

Fire alarms can be inadvertently set off for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from the logical to downright trivial. If your fire alarm isn’t well maintained or overly sensitive, you could be at risk of a false alarm.

Some common causes of false fire alarms include:

• Cigarette smoke
• Large amounts of steam (eg. from a bathroom)
• Cooking/burning food
• Dust within the unit
• Mould or mildew within the unit

Read more: Fire Alarm Maintenance UK

It’s also important to have the right fire alarms in place for your property and the occupancy. Fitting a fire alarm system that’s not appropriate for your business or premises could well lead to a false fire alarm down the line.

Competent installation can also have an effect on performance, as can efficient maintenance thereafter. A slap-dash job of installing is a recipe for disaster, while lack of care can render the system useless.

Preventing False Fire Alarms

To prevent false fire alarms from affecting your premises, it’s universally recommended that you enlist the aid of an expert fire alarm installation team.

Professional attention can guarantee the correct installation of the right system for your business, immediately reducing the risk of a false call out and the many knock-on effects they incur.

At IDS Security, our team of specialists can help you choose the right fire system for your business and install it professionally to the highest standards possible. With over 20 years of experience, we also offer round the clock monitoring and a 24/7 call-out service for maintained customers, offering unrivalled peace of mind and professional care.

Fire safety is no time to cut corners and take shortcuts. Call IDS today on 029 20 753 251 or click the button below to keep your premises safe and secure.

Contact Us

If you run a business, whether it’s large or small, it's important you have an office security system in place to keep it safe from crime and other forms of disruptive activity.  Thefts, fires and break-ins cost organisations millions of pounds every single year, so offices would be making a wise investment to install a proper and effective office security system. Here at IDS Security Systems, we offer a comprehensive range of security measures that will ensure your office is adequately protected. Build your own, bespoke office security system with a little help from the IDS team.

Access Control Systems

Access control systems are incredibly valuable within an office setting because they allow access to your premises to authorised personnel only – this is a perfect option for an office that contains private and sensitive information. Access control systems come in various forms also, which makes them a great option for a range of offices. From fully computerised multi-site networks of control points to internal doors, we have an access control system that'll be perfect for your office. We utilise the latest security technologies such as biometrics and key fobs to ensure that your office security system is up-to-date, and offering maximum levels of safety at all times.

Access Control Systems >

Read More: 5 Benefits of Access Control Systems

CCTV Cameras

These are a simple yet very effective means of keeping your business secure, allowing you to detect and record criminal activity. With surveillance technology progressing massively in recent years, there is no better time to implement a network of CCTV cameras around your office. We are continuously implementing the latest developments in CCTV technology, such as fibre optic transmission and digital recording, to provide you with contemporary solutions that you can place your entire trust in. Feel free to get in touch with our security specialists if you'd like to add CCTV cameras to your bespoke office security system.

CCTV Cameras >

Read More: CCTV Systems for Small Businesses

Intruder Alarms

Intruder alarms are also a great measure when it comes to protecting businesses and offices. We are able to include our state-of-the-art intruder alarms as part of your office security system. These will be installed and maintained by our team of experienced professionals, making the entire process stress-free. Intruder alarms are extremely effective because they can be monitored around the clock from our monitoring station, giving you peace of mind that your office is always being observed. 

Intruder Alarms >

Read More: Types of Intruder Alarm - Which One is Right for You?

Fire Alarms

With fires contributing to countless injuries in the workplace every year, it is imperative that a proper fire safety measure such as a fire alarm is incorporated into your office security system. It is required by law, under Section 4 of the government’s guide to fire safety in the workplace, to have a ‘fire detection and warning system’, so this is not an office security system measure you can miss.

The type of fire alarm system you choose depends on the building and the nature of the work that is carried out within your business. To get a better understanding of the exact fire alarm solution you need, speak to our security system technicians.

Fire Alarms >

Read More: Business Fire Alarm Requirements

Each one of these security measures will go a long way to protecting your office if you incorporate them into your office security system. Why not combine a number of these solutions to create one bespoke, comprehensive office security system? Contact us today by clicking below to submit your enquiry form!

Fill Out Enquiry Form >

Fire safety is a very important subject - it truly is a matter of life and death. Homes and commercial premises both require certain measures to ensure that, in the event of a fire, the dangers to human life are kept to a minimum.

We specialise in fire protection systems here at IDS, but how much do you know about fire safety? Read our infographic to make sure you understand how to make your property safe:

Infographic Transcript

Research shows that buildings burn faster now than ever before:

• 30 years ago you would have approximately 17 minutes to escape a house fire
• Nowadays you can have less than 5!

Fire exit: Always know where public fire exits are and the safest way to evacuate your house if there is a fire.

Make sure you have a fire alarm installed and test the ones you do have.

2/3 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke or fire alarms or have alarms that don't work.

Fire alarms should be tested once a month and have their batteries changed once a year

Be sure to take all the correct safety precautions by installing the right fire alarm!

You should have a smoke alarm on every floor of your home.

Which Fire Alarm Do You Need?

Conventional Fire Alarms

• Can tell you which zone a fire is in
• Great for small buildings with low risk of fire hazards

Wireless Fire Alarms

• Wirelessly links the alarm panel with sensitive sensors
• Ideal for buildings where wires aren't suitable such as temporary locations

Addressable Fire Alarms

• Ideal for large spaces with a higher risk of fire
• Can tell you the exact location of the fire

Biggest Fire Hazards

• Cooking
• Unattended Flames
• Faulty Electrical Systems
• Heating

If you want to know which security system would best protect your business learn more at www.ids-securityltd.co.uk