 Please see below important about protecting your home against fire.
Smoke Alarms back to top
Don’t fit alarms in or near kitchens or bathrooms where smoke or steam can set them off accidently. In a bigger house, you should fit an alarm on each floor – or even each room – to make sure you can always hear the siren.
Test your alarm at least once a week and replace the batteries once every 12 months.
Kitchens back to top
With open flames often in use, together with the presence of liquids, oils and other combustible materials, it’s no surprise that the kitchen poses the highest fire risk in most homes. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to reduce the risk...
- Cooking apparatus should not be left unattended at any time while in use.
- Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.
- Check toasters are clean and are not placed near curtains or kitchen rolls.
- Never put anything metallic into the microwave.
If you use a deep fat fryer, make sure the thermostat is set at the correct temperature and is working properly. Remember to change the oil regularly, as overused oil can ignite more easily as it degrades. If the oil starts to smoke the fat is too hot – turn off the heat and allow it to cool.
It’s also well worth developing a safe ‘end of day’ routine to ensure that all equipment is switched off individually and made safe.
Candles back to top
Unwatched candles are a real hazard. It’s easy to forget about them and go out or to bed. Put candles on heat-resistant mats in places where you’ll see them before leaving the room, and snuff them out properly. Candles can also give off unpleasant fumes when they reach the end of their wax. To avoid this, put them out when only 5mm of wax remains.
 Electrics back to top
Make sure you don’t overload electrical sockets. Certain appliances such as washing machines should always have their own socket.
- Always check that you use the right fuse to prevent overheating.
- Make sure an electrical appliance has a British European safety mark when you buy it.
- Regularly check the condition of wires in your home.
- Unplug appliances when you are not using them, or when you go to bed.
Furniture back to top
When you’re shopping for furniture, always make sure it has a fire-resistant permanent label before buying.
Portable heaters back to top
Try to secure heaters against a wall – and never place near furniture or curtains close to them. Using them to dry clothes is definitely not a good idea.
Smoking back to top
Never smoke in bed.
Don’t leave a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe lying around – they could easily fall and start a fire.
Coping with a Fire back to top
Escaping
 Make sure everyone in the house knows the escape routes, and where to find door or window keys. When you’re cleaning, check that keys for doors and windows are still in the right places, so that people can find them quickly. At the same time, check that doors and windows are kept free from obstruction.
Talk to your family about emergency procedures:
- How will they get out safely?
- Where will you convene in case of a fire?
- Remind your children not to try to retrieve valuables – just get out.
If you need to escape through a smoky room, crawl. The air will be fresher closer to the ground – and keep a jumper over your mouth.
When you reach a door, touch it cautiously to check it’s not hot. If it’s too hot and you can’t risk opening it, stay where you are and block the edges of the door to contain the fire.
If you have to escape from a first-floor bedroom, throw out some bedding to break your fall. If you are too high to escape, close the door tightly on the fire, open a window and wait near it for the fire service.
Basic Fire Essentials back to top
If a saucepan catches fire, switch off the heat beneath it, get everyone out of the house, and call 999.
Consider buying a fire blanket and a fire extinguisher. These are useful for minor incidents but must not be used before evacuating.
If someone’s clothes catch fire, use a thick piece of fabric – such as a coat or specially designed fire blanket – to smother the flames. Cutting off the fire’s oxygen supply will prevent it from burning. If your own clothes catch fire and nobody can help, roll on the ground to put out the fire.
Once your alarm is installed it will protect you at night – but there’s more to do to make sure you sleep safe. When you go to bed, remember to shut all doors. Smoky fumes can do serious damage before you even wake up – and your chances of containing a fire are better with the doors closed.
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