Ten Ways to Help Prevent Electrical Fires at Church

In the plugged-in world we live in, it’s more important than ever before to monitor your ministry’s electrical system for overloaded circuits and faulty electrical systems.  Below are precautions your ministry can take to prevent electrical fires at your ministry:

1. Hire a professional. Establish a maintenance contract with a qualified contractor. A record of inspection, with a maintenance log, should be posted near the boiler or furnace.

2. Don’t skip check-ups. Make sure a professional inspects your furnace or boiler and electrical system on a regularly bases.

3. Think before you store. Do not store flammable or combustible items near the furnace or boiler.

4. Power down. Remember to turn off electrical items, not in use, especially space heaters. Other specialized equipment, such as electronic musical instruments, and organ motors should also be turned off.

5. Test the smoke alarms. Make sure your smoke alarms work. Alarms that automatically alert emergency fire protection personnel are most valuable.

6. Check for warning signs. Regularly inspect electrical devices and appliances. Immediately replace anything that overheats, shorts, smokes, sparks, or shocks.

7. Unplug chargers. Chargers create heat and can malfunction. Use chargers properly, then unplug them.

8. Don’t overload or alter circuits. Avoid having too many devices plugged into a single circuit, and do not alter three-prong plugs or use adaptors to make them fit a two-slot outlet or extension cord.

9. Extend with caution. If you use extension cords, splitters, or power strips, use only commercially rated ones. Use them correctly, and only on a temporary basis.

10. Check the circuit breaker panel. Be sure all breakers are the proper size for each circuit and consider upgrading an older electrical system.

January 4, 2024
Join us for a Ministry HR Bootcamp!
Join us for a Ministry HR Bootcamp!

As fun as an Oscar party and as educational as a seminary course, HR Bootcamp takes the confusion out of human resources in ministry.

Tags: water damage, prevention, leaks, plumbing
November 7, 2023
Stop Plumbing Leaks with FloLogic
Stop Plumbing Leaks with FloLogic

Water and the damage it brings can be one of the most devastating property claims a ministry or organization can experience. Fortunately, there's a solution that identifies leaks when they start, as small as 1/2-ounce-per-minute. It's called FloLogic.

Tags: water damage, prevention, leaks, plumbing
September 7, 2023
Increasing Donor Trust
Increasing Donor Trust

The ability to inspire others to give is a blessing. Because fundraising can be both exciting and challenging, there are some important details to consider that can help your donors, and organization, have a smooth and successful experience.

Tags: insurance, ministry, donor
July 31, 2023
What to Know About Loaning Your Ministry Vehicle
What to Know About Loaning Your Ministry Vehicle

Has your church or school ever been asked to loan or rent one of your vans or buses to another ministry? Rather than running the risk of loaning or renting your own vehicle, you could consider aiding them financially in renting or chartering a vehicle from a rental agency.

Tags: insurance, ministry, car insurance, renting, safety, travel
March 14, 2023
Responding to Mission Issues
Responding to Mission Issues

Having insurance coverage specifically designed for long-term international missions helps protect your people and organization from the financial impact caused by injuries, lawsuits, property damage, and more.

Tags: insurance, ministry, coverage, mission travel, protection, risk, volunteers, kidnapping
January 30, 2023
Brotherhood Mutual Foundation Kingdom Advancing Grant
Brotherhood Mutual Foundation Kingdom Advancing Grant
Tags: insurance, ministry, coverage
January 9, 2023
Better Achieve Your Mission in 2023
Better Achieve Your Mission in 2023
Tags: insurance, protect, ministry, coverage
November 10, 2022
Evaluate Your Ministry's Fire Safety Plan
Evaluate Your Ministry's Fire Safety Plan

With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s wise for ministries to evaluate their fire safety plan. Whether your ministry is hosting a holiday party, prepping treats for charity, or running a community kitchen, make sure you’re well-prepared with these tips.

Tags: insurance, protect, ministry, volunteer safety, emergency, fire safety
September 9, 2022
School is Back in Session
School is Back in Session

As school is back in session, it’s important to make sure your school is equipped with the correct safety procedures. Thinking about your school’s physical security as a series of layers can help you find gaps in your plan. Transportation and volunteers are just two important aspects of your school safety plan to think about.

Tags: coverage, insurance, liability, protect, ministry, christian schools, back to school, volunteer safety, child safety, transportation
July 15, 2022
Shepherding Ministries in a Time of Change
Shepherding Ministries in a Time of Change

Anyone who turns on the news, flips through a magazine, or browses the web can see that American society and culture are experiencing rapid transitions. Some ministries have valid concerns that issues surrounding societal shifts may expose them to negative publicity, governmental scrutiny, or litigation.

The questions become: when and how can ministries operate within their deeply held religious beliefs when they may conflict with others’ rights?

Tags: coverage, insurance, liability, protect, religious freedom, ministry
May 19, 2022
Five Common Tricks of Cyber Scammers
Five Common Tricks of Cyber Scammers

Cyber security is increasingly crucial in our technologically advanced world. Scammers use many schemes when attempting to steal your data, but you can outsmart them by understanding their methods.

Tags: ministry, cyber security, technology, data, protection
October 27, 2021
Protect Your Ministry During Lockdowns

Lockdowns have affected many aspects of life in the state of Nevada.  Mask restrictions, social distancing, and temporary use of church facilities have changed the way many churches worship corporately.  I am seeing more and more of our ministries vacant throughout the week following Sunday services. This creates opportunity for mischievous loitering on church grounds, sometimes causing damage to church property left unattended.

Tags: church payroll, finance, IRS regulations, paying employees, tax code
July 22, 2021
Thousands in Relief Funding Available to Ministries Through the Employee Retention Credit
Thousands in Relief Funding Available to Ministries Through the Employee Retention Credit

Most ministry leaders don’t realize there is funding available to non-profit employers including churches, schools, colleges, and camps. This post includes some highlights about the credit and guidance on where to start to see if your ministry is eligible.

Tags: ERC, payroll, tax credit
March 17, 2021
Prepare for Severe Spring Storms Now
Prepare for Severe Spring Storms Now

When severe storms strike, they can produce high winds and tornadoes. Damaging winds can wreak havoc on your ministry’s property and to buildings. A high wind event can crash debris through your windows, strip your siding, down trees on your parking lot, peel shingles off your roof, and fling back the flashing.

Tags: weather emergency, lightning, storms, safety, protect
February 25, 2021
Catalytic Converter Theft on the Rise: Protect Ministry Vehicles
Catalytic Converter Theft on the Rise: Protect Ministry Vehicles

Thieves are taking advantage of soaring precious metal prices. Take steps to protect your ministry’s vehicles and property.

Tags: protect, theft, vehicle
November 23, 2020
COVID-19 and the Christmas Season
COVID-19 and the Christmas Season

Preparing for this Christmas season may require additional creativity, due to the uncertainty of what COVID-19 may bring in our local community.

Tags: COVID-19, health, health safety, protect, coronavirus, Christmas, risk management
October 28, 2020
Guidance for Ministries About Boy Scouts' Bankruptcy
Guidance for Ministries About Boy Scouts' Bankruptcy

A mid-November deadline in the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) bankruptcy proceedings may have you wondering what the organization’s bankruptcy filing means for your ministry if you ever hosted or chartered Boy Scout Troops.

Tags: coverage, protect, liability, damages, youth
October 1, 2020
Applying for PPP Loan Forgiveness
Applying for PPP Loan Forgiveness

Organizations that obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding through the CARES Act can have their loans forgiven, turning them into grants. To qualify, each borrower must file a forgiveness application with its PPP lender, proving that it followed the rules. If your church, school, college, or camp meets all the criteria, 100% of its loan can be forgiven.

March 30, 2020
CARES Act: Churches Need to Apply Now
UPDATED: CARES Act: Churches Need to Apply Now

Learn about the CARES Act and two loans for which ministries may be eligible, since Congress authorized additional funding April 23. 

March 6, 2020
Coronavirus and Your Ministry: Tips for Prevention
Coronavirus and Your Ministry: Tips for Prevention

As concern over the dangers associated with the spread of a new coronavirus, COVID-19, spreads, our agency and Brotherhood Mutual want to keep you informed and provide best practices for managing the spread of this and similar illnesses at your ministry.