ArticleFire SafetyChecklist for education settings: closing down for ChristmasThe excitement for the festive period has begun and you need to start preparing to close your school or academy for the holidays. Although you’ll be eager to shut up shop and spend time with your loved ones, it’s important you’ve done all the necessary checks before you pack up.Having robust fire and electrical safety checks is a must in any kind of education setting to protect vulnerable children and staff alike.A study* found that of 1,000 schools inspected, 66% were rated as having ‘poor’ fixed fire protections systems, such as sprinklers. These are proven to significantly reduce the damage caused by fire. Just 14% of the schools studied were rated ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.An additional 24% were judged ‘poor’ for fire detection measures, such as smoke detectors and fire alarms.Firefighters have been called to nearly 2,000 school blazes the last three years alone. Malfunctioning appliances or equipment, faulty electrics, arson, and kitchen blazes are among the leading causes of school fires.To make sure you’ve covered absolutely everything before shutting your school for Christmas, our Fire & Electrical experts have created this checklist so you can fully relax during the holidays.Closing your school checklistEnsure all non-essential items like lamps, kettles, TVs, projectors are switched offEnsure all extension leads and sockets are switched offCheck for any visual signs of wear and tear to any of your electrical equipmentMake sure Christmas decorations aren’t blocking fire or alarm sensors – ideally all Christmas decorations should be removed before the school closesEnsure staff take their personal Christmas decorations home with themCheck your Christmas lights have had their yearly PAT testMake sure your Fire Risk Assessment is updatedEnsure your appointed person is equipped to act if a fire alarm is activatedCheck the training of all your fire marshalsCheck to make sure no doors are propped openMake sure all fire doors are closed so in the unlikely event of a fire, it’s less likely to spread quicklyEnsure there is no obstruction to one-way systemsTidy away all flammable/combustible materialsShut and lock all doors and windowsEmpty all waste skips, rubbish bins, and recycling binsAppoint a member of staff who will walk and visually inspect the premises once the last person leave your setting.Check that all your paperwork regarding fire drills are up to dateHow we can helpWe are a trusted, nationwide provider for all your fire and electrical safety needs.Our end goal is to make sure your setting is safe and you’re meeting your legal obligations, but it doesn’t stop there. We also offer ongoing checks on all your fire safety equipment and electrical measures – so you have peace of mind that you’re in good hands.We pride ourselves on providing our clients with a 100% reliable service. We uphold rigorous standards, and our processes are audited to make sure that you receive the same quality service every time. We know our stuff and we’re here to put your mind at ease from the very start. To make sure you shut your premises correctly for the holidays, contact our service team here.References;Study* https://www.zurich.co.uk/news-and-insight/schools-twice-as-likely-as-other-buildings-to-be-hit-by-a-blazeFirefighters have been called to nearly 2,000 school blazes* https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-statisticsShare VIEW ALL ARTICLESContact our expert service teamTo discuss your business’ safety requirements, or to book your free consultation, contact our service team.REQUEST A CALLBACK