5 Fire Safety Tips

BY Pearl Mensah 22 August 2022

Accidental fires in households account for 60% of all fire fatalities in the UK and this period of hot and dry weather has increased the risk of outbreaks across Britain. With more high temperatures on the way, authorities are urging people to take extra care to prevent fires from starting.

Here are 5 tips on how to protect your home.

1. Install a smoke/fire detector

In some parts of the UK (Scotland), it is now a legal requirement to have interlinked smoke alarms installed but regulations for the rest of the country strongly recommend the installation of smoke detectors, especially in the kitchen area. Ideally you should place a smoke detector in or near the middle of the ceiling, at least 30m away from the wall. Smoke detectors must be tested regularly to ensure that they are working. Shop here for smoke detectors suitable for your home.

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2. Cook with care

According to the Fire Safety Advice Centre, almost two thirds of all domestic fires start from cooking activities. The kitchen can potentially be full of fire hazards so it’s important to be extra cautious when cooking. To prevent fires in the kitchen:

  • Keep your hobs, oven and grill clean.
  • Avoid wearing loose fitting clothes as they tend to catch fire easily.
  • Avoid hanging tea towels or cloths over the cooker.
  • Keep an eye on your meals so that your pans don’t ‘boil over’ or fall from the hob.
  • Use splatter screens to prevent oil and grease from spreading around the hob. You can shop for a splatter screen here.
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3. Install a fire extinguisher

Installing a fire extinguisher is highly recommended in every home, however, the most appropriate fire extinguisher for your property will depend on your environment. There should be at least one fire extinguisher installed near an open fireplace, boiler or in the kitchen.

4. Ensure household electrical safety

Testing power outlet sockets for correct operation and wiring standards is a must in every household. Electrical systems deteriorate in performance and develop faults over time so testing should be done as often as possible to ensure that household appliances are safe to use. Shop here for an electrical socket tester if you don’t already own one!

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5. Bedtime check

Get into the routine of checking possible fire hazards in and around your home before you go to bed as you’re more at risk when you’re asleep. Ensure that sockets, hobs, ovens and any other electrical appliances are switched off at night. Not only will this keep you safe but can help save you money as appliances that are left on standby drain energy and can easily add £400 onto your annual electricity bill! You can adopt this routine for when you’re leaving the house as well!

We hope you found this blog helpful! Do you know any fire safety tips? Tell us in the comments!

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