Your Essential Steps
There are some basic steps which you can take to ensure that your home is kept safe from the risks of fire:
- Do fit Smoke Alarms- Fit one on each floor of your home and test the batteries every week. Alarms can cost as little as £5 and are widely available, or 10 year alarms can be purchased which don’t require frequent battery changes.
- Don’t overload- Try not to overload electrical sockets with more than one appliance. Replace any worn cables
- Do Unplug- Also, unplug any appliances which are not in use.
- Don’t fuel it- Make sure not to leave any flammable products or fabric near to a heat source or open flame. Remember light bulbs can also act as a heat source.
- Wheelie bin fires are common – Don’t lose yours to fire. Make sure you only put it out when it’s due for collection and don’t overfill it.
Your Kitchen
The kitchen is probably the most hazardous place in your home in terms of fire risks. Make sure you take these steps to make it a safer kitchen:
- Keep it clear- any cables, clothing, teas towels should be clear of your cooker and toaster.
- Keep it clean- build ups of fat and grease can easily catch fire, clean your oven, grill and hobs regularly.
- Keep it dry- keep all your electrical appliances away from water.
- Keep your eye on it- Don’t leave cooking unattended, Fires start when your attention stops!
Chip pans are a frequent cause of fires in the home and indeed the kitchen. If you are using a chip pan you should remember to:
- Cool it- if the oil starts to smoke, turn off the heat and leave the pan to cool.
- Don’t fill it- no more than one third of the pan should be filled with oil.
- Don’t ignite it- Use a spark device to light gas cookers rather than matches or lighters.
- Don’t catch it- Make sure the pan handle isn’t sticking out from the hob.
- If it does catch fire
- Don’t risk it- get everyone out of your home and call the Fire and Rescue Service.
- Don’t panic- turn off the heat if it’s safe to do so and do not move the pan.
- Don’t wet it- Never throw water on a pan.
Your habits
The main reason for house fires is carelessness on behalf of the owner. Cigarettes and Candles are two of the biggest causes of house fires.
Statistics show that every three days someone dies from a fire caused by a cigarette.
- Take extra care- Don’t smoke when you’re in bed or feeling drowsy.
- Take extra care- If you’ve been drinking or taking prescription medicine you may also fall asleep and not notice the cigarette still burning.
- Stub it out- always use proper ash trays. Make sure it’s really out.
- Out of reach- keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.
People tend to ignore candles as a fire risk, you should:
- Never leave them unattended
- Put them completely out at night
- Keep them away from any flammable materials
- Be careful not to put them on surfaces which may melt (i.e. bath tubs or television sets.)
Your Plan
Be sure to have an escape plan in place for your home. Make sure everyone is aware of what to do in case of a fire:
- Plan your route, and keep it clear from obstruction.
- Keep door and window keys handy.
- If there’s smoke, keep low where the air is clearer
- If your escape route is blocked, break a window and cover any jagged edges with a towel, use your bedding to cushion your fall. Lower yourself, don’t jump!
- Failing that, get into a room with a phone and contact the Fire Service, block the door frame with towels to prevent smoke entering.
- Most of all, Keep calm! Try to exit as quickly as possible; don’t waste time investigating or rescuing valuables.
