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Fire safety tips

Overloaded Electrical Sockets

Fire safety tips

  • Fire prevention

  • There’s lots you can do to keep you, your family and your home safe. Good fire safety habits can prevent and slow down fires, or alert you should one break out.

    • Make sure communal areas are kept clear at all times.
    • Ensure fire doors remain closed at all times.
    • Do not tamper with smoke and heat detectors or alarms in your home and test them regularly. You can find more information at fireservice.co.uk (opens in new tab).
    • Make sure you know the Fire Action Plan for your building. You will find this displayed on the wall in the communal area.
    Report any fire safety concerns
Image shows a towel and saucepan on fire on a gas stove

In the kitchen

  • Never leave your cooker unattended when in use. Take extra care if you need to leave the kitchen while cooking, take pans off the heat or turn them down.
  • Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.
  • Double check the cooker is off when you’ve finished cooking.
  • Don’t put objects on top of microwaves as this can block ventilation.
  • Keep your hob, oven and grill clean – build-ups of fat and grease are a major fire risk.

Electrical items

    • Switch off electrical appliances when not in use and don’t overload sockets with too many appliances.
    • Use the correct type and wattage of bulb for light fittings. You can identify the fitting type (e.g. screw or bayonet bulb) and check the fixture’s maximum wattage label, usually found on a sticker near the socket.
    • Keep electrics (leads and appliances) away from water.
    • Don’t cover heaters or dry clothes on them. If possible, secure your heater against a wall so it can’t fall over.
    • Keep heaters away from flammable bedding, curtains and furniture.
    • Don’t leave your heater switched on unattended, especially with children in the room.
    • Don’t power heaters from an extension lead.
    • Keep tumble driers clean and free of lint / fluff.

Batteries, e-scooters and e-bikes

    • Only use batteries that meet UK safety standards and never alter them
    • Unplug the charger once the battery is full, and don’t charge them overnight
    • Never block exits, escape routes, or communal areas, especially when charging. This includes mobility scooters and children's toys
    • Look out for warning signs while charging, such as smoke, overheating, hissing or crackling sounds, or a strong smell – if you notice these, contact the fire services right away on 999.

  • If you see smoke or notice any of the warning signs, you should act immediately by:

    • Ensure you and anyone else around you leave the area straight away
    • Close any doors behind you
    • Don’t re-enter
    • Call the fire services on 999
    • Don’t try to put the fire out yourself.
Fire Safety Candles

Cigarettes, candles and matches

  • Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach.
  • Never smoke in bed.
  • Don’t leave lit candles, matches or cigarettes unattended.
  • Keep candles or cigarettes away from curtains and fabrics.
  • Don’t smoke inside your home, go outside to smoke.
  • Extinguish candles, matches and cigarettes before leaving a room or going to sleep.
  • Always empty ashtrays when contents are completely extinguished.
Person switching off electrical switch on double plug socket

Before going to bed

  • Make sure the cooker is turned off and the kitchen door shut.
  • Switch off any portable heaters. 
  • Unplug all appliances except those that are meant to stay on (i.e fridges). 
  • Close all doors – it can keep your escape route free from smoke and may stop a fire spreading. 
  • Use an electric blanket? Turn it off when you get into bed and don’t use a hot water bottle at the same time.

Other fire safety information

EW1S form explained Our fire safety procedures Fire evacuation strategy Cladding and remediation Keeping your home safe