Member Article

Fire and security firm helps businesses avoid festive false alarms

A fire and security firm is warning the region’s businesses to carry out simple checks to avoid unnecessary false alarms and callouts in the run-up to Christmas.

Badly-positioned festive decorations and under-trained staff cause an increase in calls to Jackson Fire & Security’s engineers during December.

And the firm, which has branches in Liverpool, Wirral, Warrington and Mold, has released a list of common mistakes to avoid false alarms, as well as preventative measures to put in place.

The list includes businesses hanging tinsel from the ceiling, which is blown by air conditioning units during the night and triggers the burglar alarm, and staff not being trained adequately on re-setting false fire alarms.

Jackson Fire & Security’s operations manager Kathy Bishop said: “Unnecessary false alarms and subsequent call outs can cost organisations time and money.

“A Christmas reveller who accidently sets off a fire alarm at a hotel, pub or restaurant can cause the business to lose money from bar takings, as well as lose products such as food if it goes cold or off.

“Ensuring staff are trained and know how to stop and re-set false alarms also eliminates the need for an engineer to visit the site.

“We want businesses to have a smooth run-up to Christmas by using our checklist to avoid these common situations.”

Another point on the checklist is for organisations to PAT test electrical items such as Christmas lights used once a year

The fire and security firm also lists some more obscure call-outs it has received during December.

Kathy added: “Staff at a library left out mince pies and Christmas cake over the weekend, and a couple of cheeky rodents sniffed them out, helped themselves and set off the intruder alarm.

“And people should also take care when cooking something for the first time, such as Christmas pudding with brandy on top as they often forget how flammable the alcohol is.”

Jackson Fire & Security is one of the UK’s leading independent providers of fire and security systems. It has branches in Liverpool, Warrington, Wirral, Mold, Cambridge and Glasgow.

Jackson Fire & Security employs 35 people across its six UK branches. Founded in 1991, the company has built a reputation for quality, reliability and service, and is a Siemens’ gold-accredited partner for fire systems.

To download the infographic, visit www.jacksonfire.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .