Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most common places for a fire to start. Cooking is part of our everyday life, but distractions can quickly become dangerous.
Never leave pans, grills or ovens unattended while they’re on. Keep tea towels, kitchen roll and packaging away from hobs and other heat sources. Grease and food build-up can also increase the risk of fire, so regular cleaning is important.
If you’re cooking with oil and a pan catches fire, never use water to put it out. Leave the room, close the door if possible and call 999 if the fire cannot be safely controlled.
Quick fixes:
- Move anything flammable away from the hob.
- Stay in the kitchen while cooking.
- Keep appliances clean and in good condition.
Living room
The living room is often where we use the most electrical items. TVs, games consoles, lamps, chargers and extension leads can all create a fire risk if they’re not used safely.
Take a look at your plug sockets. Are extension leads overloaded? Are there chargers plugged in that aren’t being used? Damaged plugs, loose cables and overloaded sockets can overheat and start fires.
Portable heaters should always be kept well away from furniture, curtains and other materials that could catch fire.
Quick fixes:
- Unplug chargers when they’re no longer needed.
- Replace damaged plugs and cables.
- Avoid plugging too many appliances into one socket.
Bedroom
Lots of people charge phones, tablets and other devices in their bedroom overnight. While most devices are safe when used correctly, damaged batteries, cheap chargers or charging under bedding can cause overheating.
Try to charge devices on a hard surface where air can circulate freely. Don’t charge phones under pillows, duvets or on soft furnishings.
It’s also worth thinking about your smoke alarms. If a fire started during the night, would the alarm wake everyone in the home?
Quick fixes:
- Keep devices off beds and sofas while charging.
- Use the correct charger for your device, and buy it from a trusted shop
- Test your smoke alarms regularly.
Hallways and escape routes
If there’s a fire, you need to be able to get out of your home quickly and safely.
Take a look around your hallways, stairs and doorways. Are they clear, or have things started to build up? Bikes, pushchairs, shoes, boxes and bags can all get in the way when you’re trying to leave in a hurry.
If you live in a block of flats, it’s really important to keep communal hallways and stairwells clear. These are escape routes used by everyone in the building.
Quick fixes:
- Keep hallways, stairs and doorways free from clutter.
- Make sure doors open easily and aren’t blocked.
- Think about how you would get out if you couldn’t use your usual exit.
One simple check that could save your life
You've looked at some simple ways to make your home safer. One of the most important things you can do is make sure your smoke alarms are working properly. Testing them takes less than a minute and could make all the difference in an emergency.
