Safety Tips for Ministries from Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company for October 2009

Take Time this Month to Think about Fire Safety

October is Fire Prevention Month, so what better time to think about fire safety within your ministry? Believe it or not, arson is the leading cause of church fires, followed by mechanical failures. Other common causes include candles, cooking equipment, extension cords, and office equipment.

How can you prevent fires at your church? The best protection is prevention. Work to limit arson exposure by taking a close look at your outdoor building security measures, like lighting, landscaping, and implementing regular neighborhood patrols. Prevent mechanical failures by having equipment cleaned and inspected annually, turning off electrical items when they’re not in use, and replacing worn or frayed electrical cords.

If you’d like some help with evaluating your facility for fire safety, Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company has created a free fire safety checklist that can help you make your building a safer place. The checklist and other fire safety resources can be downloaded from www.SafetyCentralOnline.com, Brotherhood Mutual’s online library of free safety and risk management materials. You can also check with your insurance agent if you have specific questions about fire safety and prevention