Fire Safety

Nobody likes to think about a fire breaking out in their home. It’s a scary thought, but, thankfully, the potential for home fires can be reduced. Aviva spoke to two fire safety businesses on the subject, about how to safeguard your home against fire, general best practices, and what to do in the unlikely event of such an emergency. 

Home fire safety tips 

Fireplaces and candles add cosiness to any home, but open flames always carry a risk. 

“Be very careful around the use of candles and open fires,” says Martin Crothers, director of Crothers Security Ltd and Simon Craig, sales director at Network Security, adds a brief home fire safety checklist: 

“To protect your home from fire, consider these simple measures: Ensure smoke alarms are installed on every level of your home, especially in bedrooms and kitchens. Test them monthly and change batteries at least once a year.

“Have monitored smoke/heat sensors installed: monitored means 24/7 peace of mind when you are home or away. Use fire-resistant materials: install fire-resistant insulation, doors, and furnishings where possible.”

“Place extinguishers in key areas like the kitchen and near fireplaces. Avoid overloading electrical circuits: Spread out the use of electrical devices and avoid plugging multiple high-power devices into one socket.”

“Regularly inspect heating sources: Have chimneys, boilers, and heaters inspected annually by professionals to reduce fire risks.”

Best practices, fire-safety around home cooking 

Nothing beats a home-cooked meal, but cooking has many moving, flaming, and sizzling parts. A safe cooking environment starts with the right equipment.

Martin advises “having a fire blanket in the kitchen, for a start.” 

“Avoid deep fat frying at home, use an air fryer instead. Avoid cooking when under the influence of alcohol. Never leave a pan or grill unattended.”

Simon agrees about a fire blanket, saying “it’s an effective and easy-to-use tool to smother small fires, especially grease fires.”

“Cooking-related fires are one of the leading causes of home fires. Ensure dish towels, paper towels, and other flammable materials are far from stoves or hot surfaces.”

Finally, he advises: “If you need to step away while cooking, use a timer to remind you that the stove or oven is still in use. Don’t forget to turn pot handles inward. This prevents pots from being knocked over, especially if there are children in the home.”

Fire safety advice regarding electrical appliances

Plugs, chargers and old leads are just some of the causes of electrical fires. 

“Ensure your fuseboard is properly configured and up to standard,” says Martin. “Only use a Safe Electric registered electrician to carry out any work on your electric devices.”

“Never leave a battery scooter or bike on charge unattended, and particularly not overnight. Don’t leave a mobile phone on charge overnight and when on charge, ensure it is ventilated and not left on soft furnishing. Avoid using tumble driers and dishwashers overnight.”

Simon advises: “Unplug unused appliances: Always unplug devices like toasters, kettles, or chargers when not in use, as they can overheat.” 

“Ensure light bulbs are the correct wattage for lamps and fixtures to avoid overheating. When it comes to sockets, use power strips with surge protection and avoid plugging too many devices into a single outlet.”

“Regularly check for frayed or damaged cords and replace them immediately if they show signs of wear.”

Common causes of fire in the home 

Nobody thinks that their home will have a fire emergency, and yet it can happen to any home. Having some fire safety measures in place helps to prevent most issues, but it’s important to know how to recognise them.

Martin warns against “carelessness around candles and open fires particularly at Christmas.” 

“Open fires,” he continues, “which are left unused year-round and then lit at Christmas, are an issue because of blocked chimneys. Build-up of lint in the filters of a tumble drier is also a common risk.”

Simon adds: “Another common cause of fire at home is smoking indoors. Cigarettes, especially when people fall asleep while smoking, are a significant fire hazard.”

“Portable heaters and open fires can also ignite nearby furniture, curtains, or other materials.” 

Common mistakes made in the event of a fire

Martin asserts that “mistakes are usually made before the fire.” 

“This means storage of flammable material under the stairs, lack of a fire evacuation plan, non-working or absence of smoke detectors. In the event of a fire, make sure to get out, stay out and then raise the alarm.”

Some common mistakes during a fire emergency, according to Simon are: “Trying to fight large fires: Homeowners often attempt to extinguish large fires themselves, which can be dangerous. If the fire is spreading, it is safer to evacuate and call emergency services immediately.”

“Many residents don’t have a practiced evacuation plan. Every family should have a fire escape plan and practice it regularly.”

“In the event of a fire, saving time can save lives. Residents should leave immediately without wasting time gathering personal items.”

“Another common mistake is opening doors without checking for heat: If a door is hot, it indicates the presence of fire on the other side. Opening it could cause flames and smoke to enter the room quickly.”

“Also, never re-enter a burning building, even if it appears safe from the outside. Wait for emergency responders to declare the building safe.” 

Fire safety checklist

In summary: 

1. Keep an eye on electrical appliances, especially plugs and leads 
2. Be aware of the dangers of open flames (like candles and fireplaces)
3. Don’t leave boiling or sizzling pans unattended 
4. Have an evacuation plan

Keeping your home and family safe

Most home fires are easily preventable with some preparation, common sense and awareness. Follow these tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.

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