Fire safety

Our priority is to ensure our homes are safe and meet evolving fire safety regulations.

Fire prevention

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

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
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.

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.

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.