While the number of house fires in the UK has been falling over the years, thousands of homes still go up in flames every year. On average, there are about 34,000 house fires across the UK each year, or one new house fire every 15 minutes.
So fire safety is something everyone should still take seriously. In this post, we explain the best tips for keeping your home and your loved ones safe from fire.
Most Common Causes of Fires
Fire safety begins by understanding where the biggest risks come from. According to Fire and Rescue Services, kitchen appliances and cooking accidents are the leading causes of house fires followed by faulty wiring.
Other common causes include:
- Smoking
- Matches and candles
- Space heaters
- Central and water heating appliances
5 Tips for Fire Safety at Home
1. Install Smoke Alarms
Having functioning smoke alarms in your home can save your life. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. The best place to install the alarm is on the ceiling at the center of the room. You can also install alarms outside bedrooms in the hallway.
Avoid having smoke alarms where they might be set off accidentally such as in the bathroom or kitchen. For these areas, a heat alarm is better as it won’t be affected by smoke or steam from normal activities. Here’s a short video showing the best places to install smoke alarms.
When buying battery-powered smoke alarms, look for those with a sealed 10-year battery. That way, you don’t have to worry about replacing batteries for a long time. But no matter which type of alarm you have, even if it’s a wired one, test them once a month.
Tip: You can have additional fire safety equipment like fire blankets and extinguishers. Be sure to read usage instructions so you know what to do in case of a fire.
2. Follow Safe Cooking Practices
Be extra careful in the kitchen since that’s where a majority of home fires start. To prevent cooking accidents:
- Avoid wearing loose clothing when cooking and keep towels away from the hob.
- Do not leave children in the kitchen unsupervised.
- Turn saucepan and pot handles away from where they might come into contact with someone.
- Do not cook when drunk or under the influence of any drugs or medication that might affect your ability to cook safely.
- Make sure gas is turned off when you are done cooking.
- If a pan catches fire, turn off the heat if you can and cover the pan with a lid to smother the fire. Never pour water on a grease fire; it will only make it worse.
3. Be Careful With Appliances and Electronics
Appliances and electronics are another major source of house fires. A common mistake a lot of people make that result in electrical fires is overloading power outlets.
If you are using an extension lead, check its maximum amps rating and do not exceed that. To be safe, do not plug in high-power appliances such as an electric oven or a space heater into an extension; connect it directly to a power outlet.
Be especially careful with particular appliances including space heaters, electric blankets and kitchen appliances. These are common causes of electrical fires, usually because people don’t use or maintain them properly.
For electronics like dryers, toasters, and ovens, regular cleanup is important to prevent a build-up of fire-causing materials like lint, bread crumbs and grease. For others like space heaters and deep fat fryers, strictly follow usage instructions.
Space heaters, in particular, are a major fire hazard. Avoid placing them where they might tip over and keep them away from curtains, upholstery and other soft flammable materials.
4. Put Out Cigarettes and Candles
Only smoke outside; it’s a lot safer than doing it indoors both for health reasons and fire safety. When you are done, put the cigarette out immediately and dispose of the butt properly. Never leave a lit cigarette lying around the house even if there are no kids or pets around. Ashes from the cigarette can fall and start a fire.
E-cigarettes can also cause fires. Only use legit brands, do not leave an e-cigarette where kids can get it and only use the charger that’s included.
Unattended candles are also a fire hazard. Put out any lit candles when going out of the room. Even better, consider switching to electric candles.
5. Have a Fire Escape Plan
Even with your best efforts, accidents can still happen and it’s a good idea to have a fire escape plan. Plan a fire escape route (ideally, the normal way you get out of the house) and have everyone practice getting out quickly. Have a backup route in case the first one is blocked.
You can create alternative escape routes by fitting windows with fire escape ladders. These can be deployed quickly in case of a fire and are especially ideal for upper level rooms.
