Fire safety

Every year over 50,000 accidental house fires are attended by fire and rescue services across the UK.

Make sure that you don’t become one of these statistics by taking the following precautions. Visit www.direct.gov.uk for more tips on fire prevention and what to do in an emergency.

Top tips

• Fit smoke alarms on each level in your home. Make sure you test them once a week and change the batteries every year.
• Make a fire action plan so that everyone in your home knows how to escape if there is a fire.
• Keep the exits from your home clear and keys to windows and doors in easy reach.
• Take extra care in the kitchen –accidents while cooking account for over half of fires at home. And never leave children alone in the kitchen.
• Take extra care when cooking with hot oil.
• Never leave lit candles in rooms that nobody is in or in rooms where children are on their own.
• Make sure cigarettes are stubbed out properly and are disposed of carefully, and never smoke in bed.
• Get into the habit of closing doors at night to prevent fire spreading.
• Don’t overload electrical sockets.
• Keep matches and lighters where children can’t see or reach them.
• Take special care when you’re tired or when you’ve been drinking.
• Don’t leave the TV or other electrical appliances on standby as this could cause a fire. Always switch off and unplug an appliance when not in use.