Arson is a serious concern within the UK, for both businesses and homeowners. Statistics show that 50.5% of fires attended in 2017/18 were arson, resulting in 181 deaths and £1.2bn in insurance claims, and that since 2015 arson attacks have been increasing in number (figures from the National Fire Chiefs Council). Arson can wipe out everything. Family, treasured memories, your life’s work; all are vulnerable in the event of an arson attack. Arson occurs for a multitude of reasons, making specific threats difficult to predict- but not to prevent. This article discusses some key methods of arson prevention, including products suitable for minimising and containing the risk.

Arson is a particular risk for businesses, with over 3000 businesses hit every year causing up to a projected £11bn in economic damage. Current strategies in progress with the Fire Chiefs Council are focusing on working with local communities to catch and deter potential offenders, but there are also products and procedures available to help you protect your premises directly.

What Can You Do To Prevent Arson?

Most deliberate fires are set outside and therefore a key part of arson prevention strategy is to control the area surrounding your home or business. Keep the area free from leaves and litter, and keep all rubbish securely shut away, ideally in metal bins, and collected on a regular basis.

Vigilance is an essential part of preventing arson. Keep an eye out for smaller fires locally. Most arsonists start off with small fires and abandoned buildings before moving on to occupied premises. This may give you some warning as to how much risk you face. It is important to keep a close eye on the situation. Busy premises may benefit from hiring a security guard, or having staff keep a close eye on patrons.

It helps to ensure that your property itself is secure. Fasten windows and doors securely and maintain them to a good standard. Ensure that all doors have appropriate fastening mechanisms including fire exits. Check that your fire door furniture is fitted correctly. Consider additional security such as alarms and limiting access to high-risk areas such as warehouses and storage facilities.

A vital precautionary product is the fire-proof mailbox or mailbag. The letterbox of any building is a prime target for arson attempts, and our range of fire-proof mailboxes and mailbags are capable of containing and putting out small fires, preventing them from growing and spreading. Fireproof mailbags can even contain and put out the explosion from small fireworks. Our range of fireproof mail boxes and bags can be found here.

Conclusion

Fire prevention and preparedness is an important part of reducing your risk of any fire, including arson. It is also imperative to remember to have appropriate fire safety products installed following a fire risk assessment. These include smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and exits, and an agreed-upon evacuation procedure. If the worst happens, having these systems in place can minimise the damage and prevent loss of life.

Arson is a serious threat and is something that you can and should be prepared for. An ideal plan for arson involves clearing and securing the area around your building, and the building itself. It means keeping a close eye on the area, the local news, and visitors to your premises. It also involves having appropriate fire prevention and detection systems in place, should an attempt occur and be successful.