Here you will find out fire safety tips on how to make your home safer.
In an emergency, you should dial 911 and ask for the fire service. Stay calm, speak slowly and clearly and give details of the address or location where help is needed. This call is free of charge no matter where you make the it from and can even be made if a mobile phone has no credit or you are out of your normal operator s network.
Be Prepared
One of the most important things you can do is to plan your escape routes and keep your exits clear. It is much easier to follow a pre-prepared plan, like you would at work, than to start planning one at 4 o’clock in the morning when the smoke alarm sounds.
– Work out how to get outside if there is fire in your home. Get all the people who live in the house to practice your escape plan.
– Keep door and window keys handy and tell members of your household where they are kept.
– In the event of a fire, don’t tackle it yourself, get outside, dial 911 and ask for the fire service. In other words, get out. stay out and call the fire service out.
There are many things that you can do to make your home much safer for everyone who lives there. Here are a few helpful tips.
Smoke Detectors
– Fit smoke detectors on every floor of your home, ideally in a hallway or landing. Smoke detectors work at their best if they are fitted to the ceiling.
– Don’t put a smoke detector in the kitchen or bathroom where they can be set off accidentally. Test the batteries once a week and replace the batteries once a year unless the smoke detector has a long life battery fitted.
– Don’t take risks if the alarm goes off. Get everyone outside, closing the doors as you go and call the fire service. Don’t go back inside until the fire service tells you it is safe to return.
Candle Safety
Many of us enjoy using candles, particularly during celebrations and festivals, but they can cause house fires if they are used incorrectly.
To make sure that candles are as safe as possible, please use the following advice.
– Always use a proper holder for candles. Keep candles away from curtains and other materials that could catch fire. Do not leave children alone with candles. Always put out candles when you leave a room or go to bed.
– Take extra care if you are using numerous candles as part of a celebration or festival as this could increase the risk of fire in your home.
Cigarette Safety
Cigarettes carry many dangers, one of which is the risk of setting accidental house fires. If you pay attention to the following advice then you can continue to smoke safely.
– Never smoke in bed, a large proportion of bedroom fires are caused by people falling asleep whilst their cigarette is still lit.
– Make sure that cigarettes are put out and disposed of carefully.
– Use ashtrays and regularly empty them in an outside bin.
– Use child resistant lighters or matchboxes and keep them out of reach of children.
– Take extra care if you smoke when tired, taking medication or have been drinking alcohol. You could fall asleep and cause a fire.
Kitchen Safety
Accidents whilst cooking are the cause of nearly 60% of all fires in the home.
– Be careful when using hot oil as it can easily be set alight.
– Never leave cooking unattended. Always take pans off the heat if they are going to be unattended.
– Loose clothing can easily catch fire if you don’t take care.
– Cloths and electrical leads should be kept away from the heat.
– Switch the cooker or hob off when you have finished cooking.
– Never leave children alone in the kitchen.
– Consider using a thermostatically controlled electric deep fat fryer if you deep fry food.
– If there is a pan fire, don’t try to put the fire out. Never throw water over it. Turn off the heat if possible. Do not move the pan.
– Leave the kitchen, closing the doors behind you and leave the house.
Electrical Safety
Electricity can kill. Each year thousands of incidents occur of injury or death, caused by the misuse of electricity.
There are a few tips to make sure that you can use electricity safely.
– Only use one plug per socket. Overloading a socket with appliances can cause a fire.
– Unplug appliances when they are not in use.
– Always use the correct fuse in an electrical appliance.
– Replace old and worn cables and leads.
– Do not place cables under carpets and mats.
– It is easy to check if your appliances are safe to use. The signs that show that an appliance isn’t fit for use are: loose wires, burn marks, hot plugs and sockets, fuses that blow, circuit breakers that trip, flickering lights.
– If you find any faults or have any concern, turn off the appliance and contact a qualified electrician.
Lighting Safety
– Keep curtains away from light bulbs.
– Light shades and light fittings have a maximum wattage of light bulb that can be used with them. Don’t exceed this.
Portable Heaters
Portable heaters are a very convenient way of supplying additional heating in a cold home. They do however carry risks.
– Heaters should be attached against a wall where possible to keep them stable.
– They should be left well away from curtains and furniture.
– Never dry clothing directly on heaters.
Bedtime Checklist
You are more at risk from fire when asleep so before going to bed it is important to work out a night time safety routine.
– Keep all internal doors closed at night, in the event of a fire this would stop fire and smoke from spreading.
– Turn off and unplug electrical appliances unless they are designed to be left on, like a fridge or freezer.
– Don’t leave the washing machine on.
– Turn your cooker and heaters off.
– If you have a working fireplace, make sure that you put a fireguard up after extinguishing the fire.
– Make sure that all candles are put out.
– Keep all exits clear.
– Keep door and windows keys where other occupants can find them.
Stop, Drop and Roll
In the event that clothes you are wearing catch fire, follow the 3 step rule to stop the fire spreading.
– Stop, don’t run, stand still.
– Drop, lie down and roll.
– Whilst on the ground roll around to put any flames out.
– If there is a heavy material like a coat or blanket, try to use it to smother the flames.
Where You Live
Your home is a place where you can feel safe with family and loved ones. Even with family and friends with you, there are still a few things that you should take care to look after.
– It is important that your home is not overcrowded as this increases the risk of fire.
– Make sure that there are enough escape routes for the number of people living with you.
– If you rent your property, your landlord has a legal responsibility for the fire safety of your home.
– In the event of a fire, don t tackle it yourself.
A Final Thought
In the event of fire, don’t tackle it yourself. Leave it to the professionals.
– Raise the alarm.
– Wake everyone up if you are asleep when detectors go off.
– Get everyone out of the building together.
– Don’t investigate the fire or rescue valuables.
– If there is smoke, keep low where the air is clearer.
– Check door temperatures and don’t open if warm. The fire is on the other side.
By following this short guide, you will be taking a big step in improving your safety at home. And don’t forget to reinforce your door for added home protection.
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