Fire safety
Almost all home fires can be prevented.
General precautions
Sit at least 90cm (3ft) from heaters and never dry clothes on or near them or put clothes on a fireguard. Never stand heaters near curtains. Keep candles in secure holders and away from curtains, fabrics or paper. Extinguish them if you go out. Never use tealights without placing them in a holder.
The Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service - Keeping Safe website provides lots of useful information and resources on many aspects of fire safety.
Smoking
This is the biggest single cause of deaths from fires. Use a proper ashtray that is hard to knock over. Empty it often, but only when contents are cold. Double check that stubbed out cigarettes are extinguished. Don’t leave burning cigarettes or pipes unattended or smoke when sleepy or in bed. Keep matches out of reach of children.
Wheelie bin fires
These are an increasing problem and can spread to buildings easily, especially through UPVC windows. If possible, keep bins away from buildings. Use chains to lock to walls or fixed posts.
Thatched properties
A thatched roof is always at risk from fire, and has its own fire safety issues. You can read some general safety precautions for thatched properties here, and you can download the Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service information booklet on thatched properties here.
Get a smoke detector
You are twice as likely to die in a fire without one. Smoke can kill even before flames reach you. Alarms cost around £5 or less. Get one that meets British Standard (BS) 5446-1. They’re generally easy to install, but if you have difficulty, get help. Check your alarm works weekly and replace batteries regularly. If yours need changing annually, set a specific date.
Alarms for the hearing and visually impaired
Alarms can be linked between rooms so you won’t miss them. Electricians, fire and rescue services and local authority sensory impairment teams can advise. Your local authority might be able to arrange free or low cost fittings (for more information, also contact the Royal National Institute for Deaf People). For those who can’t hear an alarm at all, flashing light alarms are available along with vibrating pads for the blind.
Home fire safety checks
Many fire and rescue services offer checks, often fitting smoke alarms in the process. Neighbourhood Watch coordinators may want to make a list of interested local residents so that a number of checks and installations can be carried out at once.
Wandsworth Borough Council Community Safety Division
Some 84 Neighbourhood Watch coordinators are ‘Emergency Volunteers’ with training from the Counter Terrorism Branch, London Fire Brigade and the NHS, creating a pool of local people able to help with emergencies.
Before you go to bed
Many fires start at night when people are asleep and can be overwhelmed by smoke. Turn off and unplug portable heaters and all electrical appliances not designed to stay on overnight. Check candles, cigarettes and pipes are out. Empty ashtrays (check contents are cold). Close landing and hall doors: a door can hold back a fire for 20 minutes.
Planning an escape route
Plan routes from each bedroom. Flat roofs can help on an upper floor. Keep them free from obstructions including loose floor coverings. Try to ensure phones for 999 calls will be accessible. Installing smoke detectors along routes will make them more usable in the event of fire too.
Escaping if you’re disabled
It may be best to have your bedroom on the ground floor and as near the exit as possible. Have a buzzer, intercom or phone by your bed. Some phone systems will automatically dial for help. You can get more details from the Disabled Living Foundation.
Escaping
Be calm, quick and don’t pick up valuables. Close the door on the fire. Before opening a door, touch it with the back of your hand. Call the fire service from a mobile or neighbour’s phone and give the address of the fire clearly.
If you’re cut off by fire
Use wet towels, sheets etc. to block smoke. Stay close to floor level. Try to reach a window and call for help. The fire brigade should arrive in minutes. You may be able to drop cushions etc. and jump to safety. Lower yourself by your arms, then drop to the ground.
If you don't speak English
Fire safety information is available on Directgov in languages other than English – including Bengali, Urdu, Chinese and Polish. Print out and keep information in PDF format or, if you know someone who is a non-English speaker, do it on their behalf.
For more information
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service - Keeping Safe: for general fire safety advice
Disabled Living Foundation
Helpline: 0845 130 9177
Textphone: 020 7432 8009
National Federation of the Blind of the United Kingdom
Tel: 01924 291313
RADAR – the disability network
Tel: 020 7250 3222
Minicom: 020 7250 4119
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
Helpline: 0845 766 9999
Royal National Institute of Deaf People (RNID)
Tel: 020 7296 8000
Information line: 0808 808 0123
Textphone: 0808 808 900
