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Fire Safety At Home

Fit a smoke alarm

Make sure your home is fitted with at least one smoke alarm. Smoke alarms are cheap and easy to install. We recommend alarms with 10 year battery life. Make sure you buy an alarm that meets British Standard 5446: Part 1, and remember to test the batteries regularly to check they're still working.

Minimise the risks of electrical fires

There are several things you can do to help prevent electrical fires:

• Unplug appliances that aren't in use.
• Never overload adaptors with too many plugs.
• Get electrical appliances tested by an approved contractor.

Be careful with heaters, candles and smoking

• Keep heaters at a safe distance from flammable materials and always unplug electrical heaters when not in use.
• Never cover heaters, for example by draping washing over them.
• Never leave burning candles unattended.
• Never leave matches where children may find them.
• Never empty a hot ashtray into the bin - wet the contents first or wait until it's completely cold.
• Never smoke in bed.

Plan a fire escape route

Plan what you would do if there were a fire in your home and always keep the escape routes clear. Make sure everyone in your home is familiar with the escape plan. If the main exit from your home locks with a key, make sure the key is always easily accessible and everyone in your household knows where it's kept.

Plan what to do in an emergency

If a fire breaks out in your home:

• Get everyone out.
• Stay out.
• Dial 999 immediately - it's free from any phone.

Other things to remember include:

• If possible, close all doors behind you as you get out - this will delay the spread of fire.
• If you need to open a closed door, check to see whether it feels hot first - if it does, there may be fire behind it so don't open it.