How to prevent fires at home

  • Central
Here are the best ways to prevent fires at home Credit: PA

IN THE KITCHEN:

  • Fires in the kitchen account for 59% of accidental fires, according to West Midlands Fire Service

  • Take pans off the heat or turn the hobs down if you are called away from cooking.

  • Avoid cooking if drinking alcohol

  • Do not fill a chip pan or deep-fat fryer more then one third full of oil

  • If a pan catches fire never put water on it as it will create a fireball

  • Make sure fat and grease does not build up on cookers, flammable

  • Never put anything metal in the microwave or run it without anything inside

CANDLES:

  • Keep candles within your sight at all times

  • Never burn candles near anything flammable

  • Trim the wicks of candles to 1/4 inch before burning

  • Keep candles away from drafts, air conditioning vents and fans

  • Never burn a candle all the way to the end of the wick, put it out with a snuffer instead

IF YOU LIVE IN RENTED ACCOMMODATION - LANDLORD OBLIGATIONS:

  • People living in rented accommodation are seven times more likely to have a fire according to West Midlands Fire Service

  • Your landlord must meet certain safety obligations including ensuring gas and electric appliances are safe and working

  • Gas appliances must be checked by a registered fitter

  • Electrical appliances have the British Safety Standard sign

  • Your landlord must supply a carbon monoxide detector and test it regularly

WHEN USING CHIMNEY FIRES:

  • Smokeless fueled fires should be swept once a year to reduce soot build up

  • Coal fueled fires should be swept twice a year

  • Wood fires every three months

  • Oil fires once a year

  • Gas fires once a year

CARBON MONOXIDE:

A colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas, produced when carbon-based fuels do not burn properly. It is caused by gas appliances that have not been properly installed and maintained.

Symptoms:

  • Headaches

  • Dizziness

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Fatigue

  • Drowsiness

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES:

  • Keep appliances clean and in good working order and always turn them off when not using (especially hair straighteners)

  • Never use electric heaters to dry clothes and never keep them near furniture

  • Make sure leads are not trailing over cookers

  • Never leave cables under carpets as they can wear down the leads

  • An overloading socket calculator can be found here