As we enter the new year, it’s a great time to reevaluate old safety plans, both in commercial settings and at home. Take a look around your home or place of work and identify the best safe zones, escape routes, and hazardous areas, then build an emergency plan for fires, floods, and any other major dangers.

Here are a few things to look for:

• Fire danger areas. Even areas with fire prevention, such as sprinklers, could still present risks if a person is trapped there during a fire or other emergency. Make sure all danger areas have a safe exit or marked escape route.
• Electrical hazard areas. Make sure all electrical panels have the proper clearance around them, and ensure there are no water sources that could spray the panel should something go wrong. It’s also a good idea to have non-conductive floor mats in front of electrical panels in case of an arc.
• Flood hazard areas. Areas that are below ground level, especially at the bottom of a hill or runoff area, should be properly sealed and have adequate escape routes. In addition, make sure your vehicles are not parked in or blocked by a potential flood zone, such as a dip in the driveway where a flash flood could potentially prevent a vehicle from leaving.

Here are a few things to make sure you have:

• Proper fire prevention and solutions. Make sure you have adequate fire extinguishers and/or sprinklers in place in case of a fire.
• Emergency exit routes marked. Especially in commercial buildings, make sure the emergency exits are clearly marked and have clear routes leading to them.
• An emergency escape plan. Make sure you have a clear plan of where to go and what to do in case of an emergency. Go over this with your office team or family and make sure everyone is familiar with this plan.
• Emergency supplies. Even if you don’t plan to stay in your home or place of work in case of an emergency, it’s always a good idea to have some emergency supplies. Make sure you have some backup food and water, as well as a decent first aid kit. It’s also worthwhile to have items like blankets, spare clothing, and other commodities stored away in case you end up staying in place.

A new year is a fantastic opportunity for setting goals and making changes, and the first goal that should be on everyone’s mind is safely making it through to next year.

Stay safe, and Happy New Year!