Dwellings
This section provides advice on Fire Safety in the Home and some General Fire Safety Advice related to other types of buildings.
Approximately 50 people die each year because of preventable fires in the home. Up to recently, most deaths comprised either children or the elderly. However, these statistics are changing as fire begins to affect the population as a whole. The main contributing factor to this change is thought to be alcohol.
Most of us have a good idea what causes fire in our homes, and are aware that fire can be avoided with a little less carelessness. We encourage you to review the following core issues in safeguarding your home:
Safety in the Workshop
Safety in the Kitchen
Safety in Bedrooms
Safety in Living Rooms
Open Fires
Electrical Leads
Portable Heaters
Safety in the Workshop
Workshops, Utility and Storage Areas
• Most garages and storage areas contain some flammable materials, such as oil, petrol, paint, adhesives, insecticides and chemicals. As many of these materials as possible should be stored outside the house in sealed metal containers.
• Remove any unnecessary rubbish that might cause fire danger.
Safety in the Kitchen
Most domestic fires start in the kitchen. The following precautions will reduce the risk of fire:
• Have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket. This will substantially reduce the risk of fire spreading.
• Ensure your cooker is always clean from grease.
• Treat kitchen appliances and electrical leads with care, and ensure that leads do not cross over cooker rings.
• Develop safe and sensible cooking habits. Saucepan handles should be turned in, but not over other rings.
• Take care with chip pans and hot cooking oil. If the cooking oil catches fire, use a fire blanket to put it out. Do not move the pan or use water to extinguish flames.
• Washing machines and tumble dryers may cause fire, as a result of the friction of moving parts, or an electrical short circuit. If these are set to operate at night, they should be located so that they cannot compromise escape routes. If fire occurs during the day, turn off the power at the isolation switch (if possible), and close the door to the room while evacuating the house.
Safety in Bedrooms
• Smoking in bed should be prohibited - it is one of the most dangerous fire hazards.
• Check electric blankets regularly for wear and damage, and ensure they are used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Switch off and unplug all appliances before going to bed.
• Ensure that all doors that safeguard your means of escape are closed before you retire for the night. Especially close the doors that lead from the kitchen and living rooms to hallways including a stairs.
• Candles should be put in a proper holder that won't fall over. They need to be put on a heat-resistant surface. Candles should not be left unattended in a room
Safety in Living Rooms
Smoking
• If you allow smoking in the house, provide large, stable ashtrays. A burning cigarette end can smoulder for hours before igniting. Do not balance cigarettes on the edge of ashtrays.
• Ensure matches and lighters are out of children's reach.
• Do not smoke if you are feeling sleepy or have taken alcohol.
Open Fires
• Clean chimneys at least twice a year.
• Ensure you have an effective spark guard at open fires, especially before you go to bed and when children are about
• Remember not to leave newspapers, clothes or combustible materials too close to a fire or heater
Electrical Leads
Turn off and unplug electrical appliances when they are not being used, unless they are designed to be left on (for example, freezers and video recorders).
Watch out for hot plugs and sockets, fuses that blow for no reason, flickering lights, and scorch marks on sockets or plugs.
Check electrical leads and plugs for wear and tear and faulty wiring. Frayed leads or exposed internal wires are fire risks.
Don’t overload sockets – use one plug in each socket.
Keep electrical leads, plugs and appliances away from water.
Keep electrical appliances clean and in good working order, and have them serviced regularly. This is especially important for washing machines and tumble dryers that may be left on overnight.
Never buy an electrical appliance without knowing it is safe to use. New appliances should have the British or European safety mark on it. If the appliance is second-hand, always have it checked by a qualified electrician before you use it.
Portable Heaters
• Check all electrical leads and plugs for deterioration, burning or fraying.
• Ensure there are no overloaded sockets.
• Switch off and unplug all appliances when not in use (this applies everywhere in the house).
• All gas and electric portable heaters require special attention and handling. Familiarise yourself with any special instructions for their use.
• Keep all flammable materials at a safe distance from portable heaters.
