Fire Safety In The Home
staying safe at home as well as your place of work
What do I need to know about fire safety at home?
We’re all very used to thinking about fire safety in our place of work, especially if that involves specific fire risks or hazards or public liability. But it doesn’t end there, you should also be aware of reducing the risks of fires in the home. Most houses will have a smoke detector which is excellent, but do you have more than that? A fire blanket? An extinguisher? What about in the garage or shed where you may be using power tools? Or the barbeque in the garden?
Being prepared means being safe. What would you do if there was a fire? Have you got an escape route or an extingusher to hand to stop a small fire getting out of hand? At Fire and Safety Solutions we can advise you and supply the equipment you need to keep you and home safe.
Key Points:
- The majority of homes in the UK who have smoke alarms still have no effective method of extinguishing a fire should one break out
- Despite being more at risk from fire over night, people rarely consider a safe escape route from the upstairs of the house and what they would do in an emergency
- For people without a smoke detector at all, you are twice as likely to killed by fire should one occur in your home
Many fires in the home are caused by a single moment of carelessness and could easily be prevented. It is important to be aware of possible fire hazards around the home and to take steps to protect you and your family from fire.
Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms detect smoke at the earliest stages of fire, giving you vital extra time to escape. Ensuring you have a working smoke alarm fitted is an important precaution to protect your home and family from fire.
Fit alarms in every room of your home and remember to test batteries every week and never remove the batteries. Also remember not to put alarms in kitchens or bathroom where smoke or steam could accidentally set them off.
You are more at risk from a fire when asleep. So it’s a good idea to check your home before you go to bed.
- Close inside doors at night to stop a fire from spreading
- Turn off and unplug electrical appliances unless they are designed to be left on – like your freezer
- Check your cooker is turned off
- Don’t leave the washing machine on
- Turn heaters off and put up fireguard
- Put candles and cigarettes out properly
- Make sure exits are kept clear. Keep door and window keys where everyone can find them
Preventing common fires
Over half of all fires in the home are caused by cooking accidents, but there are important precautions you can take to keep you and your family safe when busy in the kitchen.
- Always take extra care with hot oil
- Avoid leaving children alone in the kitchen when cooking
- Make sure you keep matches and saucepan handles out of their reach to keep them safe
Other common fires in the home can be prevented by following these steps:
- Make sure that candles are in secure holders and never leave them unattended
- Do not overload electrical sockets
- Put cigarettes out properly
Planning your escape route
Planning an escape route is crucial in being prepared for an emergency and can save you valuable time in the event of a fire. Make sure everyone knows how to escape and keep all exits clear. Always keep keys for doors and windows where everyone can find them.
If there is a fire, get everyone out of the building as soon as possible and call 999.
Did you know…?
- You’re twice as likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a smoke alarm that works
- Around 90 people die each year because the battery in their smoke alarm was flat or missing
- Over half of home fires are caused by cooking accidents
- More than five fires a day are started by candles
- Every three days someone dies from a fire caused by a cigarette
- Faulty electrics (appliances, wiring and overloaded sockets) cause around 7,000 house fires across the country every year
