Fire safety in houses
Here's just some of the things you should do:
- Test your smoke alarms every week. Remember to change the batteries regularly
- Make a fire action plan so everyone in your home knows how to get out in a fire. We can help advise on this or put you in touch with a friends in the fire service
- Keep exits free from clutter and know where to put your hands on window and door keys quickly
- Take extra care in the kitchen – accidents while cooking account for more than half of all home fires. Never leave young children on their own in your kitchen.
- Be careful if you are cooking with hot oil. If you often deep fry food, please buy a deep-fat fryer which is controlled by a thermostat.
- Never leave lit candles in unoccupied rooms or where children are alone. Make sure candles are in secure holders, on a flat surface that doesn’t burn and away from things that could burn.
- If you smoke cigarettes, always check you’ve stubbed them out properly and never ever smoke in bed.
- Close doors at night. If the worse happens and there is a fire, it might be contained in one room long enough for you to get out.
- Don’t overload electrical sockets. One plug for one socket only please.
- Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
- Take extra care in staying safe if you are really tired or you’ve been drinking alcohol.
- Don’t leave your TV or other electrical items on standby – not only does this cost you, it could also result in a fire.
- Unplug all electrical items if you go away for a few days.
- Don’t block access for emergency vehicles with parked cars.
If the worst happens and there is a fire you need to take this advice immediately.