If you run your own business or maybe you’re a fire warden who is responsible for fire safety at your business premises the thought of an arson attack is every business owners worst nightmare.

The threat of arson is of course usually a random act of malicious violence and can threaten anything from shops, offices, storage premises, factories, hotels, and restaurants. Most arson cases can also associated with acts of vandalism and in some cases can be linked to burglaries. You can of course hugely reduce the risk to you premises by following these simple points.

1. Consider how easily it could be to get into your premises. Make sure all access points are protected with a secure lock, and are protected by security fencing.

2. Install CCTV. A very easy method of allowing to keep track on people snooping around after hours. There are plenty of companies who install CCTV or you can even pick them up from your local electrical wholesaler.

3. Secure letter boxes. These can come in the form of a cage that is mounted to the door and provides a secure way to catching anything that comes through the letter box. Especially if the item put through the door is a fire work or on fire.

4. Safe Storage. Store any material that is potentially flammable away from the building to keep temptation away from anyone with malicious intent.

5. Keep you staff aware. Ask them to challenge anyone who should not be on the premises and report any suspicious activity to the police.

6. CRB Check new employees. Check new employees and if the have a conviction of anything releated to fire then for obvious reasons do not employ them.

7. Fire extinguisher training courses Enrol all your employees and yourself on a fire extinguisher course. If the worst case scenario happens they will be able to tackle the fire using an extinguisher. There are lots of fire extinguisher training locations in all the major cities in the UK

8. Ensure if you have any extra fire safety equipment installed that it is all maintained on a quarterly maintenance contract. This includes fire alarms, extinguishers, sprinkler systems.

9. Outside illumination can be enough to deter people especially in the dead of night! A simple yet effective way on adding some outside security.

10. Intruder alarms to be set on a daily basis, will add a huge defence to your premises. If they are monitored directly to the police then as soon as an unauthorized entry is made they will be contacted.