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As most fires in the home tend to start accidentally, it's important to carry out a few simple safety checks:

• Reduce the chances of a fire starting in your home.
• Keep yourself, your family and your property safe from fire.

Remember! If there is a fire in your home - Get Out, Stay Out and call 999 - Don't try to tackle the fire yourself, and never go back into a burning building.

Fit a smoke alarm and test it regularly

• fit smoke alarms on each level of your home - it's the simplest, single step you can take to cut the risk of dying from fire in your home
• test the batteries in your smoke alarm every week and change them every year - never remove them

Find out more about fitting and testing smoke alarms >>

Take care when cooking

• more than half of accidental fires in the home start because of something to do with cooking
• take extra care when cooking with hot oil and don't leave children alone in the kitchen when the hob or oven is on

Get more advice about cooking safely and general kitchen safety >>

Plan an escape route and make a bedtime check

• plan a route to escape your home if there is a fire and make sure everyone in the house knows the plan
• if there's a fire, don't tackle it yourself - get out, stay out and call 999
  check for fire hazards in your home before you go to bed - it takes longer to become aware of a fire when you are asleep.

Make sure you and your family are safe. Plan an escape route >>

Don't overload sockets

• try to keep to one plug per socket - too many electrical appliances plugged into one socket can overload it, which can lead to overheating
• electrical appliances, plugs and cables that are old or poorly wired can also be a real danger

More about electrical appliance fire safety >>
Electric blankets and heaters - safe use >>

Cigarettes - Put them out, Right out...

• more people die in fires caused by smoking than in fires caused by anything else
• always stub cigarettes out properly and dispose of them carefully
  see 'Smoking safety' for tips to avoid causing a fire if you smoke

Smoking safety advice >>

Use candles carefully

• candles, decorative lights and decorations are a growing cause of fires
  make sure candles are secured in a stable holder and kept away from curtains, fabrics and paper
• always put candles out when you are leaving the room or going to bed
  More about using candles, decorative lights and decorations

Further candle safety guidance >>

Ask for a FREE Home Safety Check

• we offer free home safety advice to to everyone in the Greater Manchester area
• if we identify that you will benefit from a visit, we will make an appointment with you to inspect your home. We will help you spot any potential fire hazards and show you what to do to reduce or prevent the risk of fire
• we can also help you to develop an escape plan specifically for your property and those who live in it

More about Home Fire Risk Assessments >>

• Escape Plan
• Safety in the Kitchen
• Safety in the Lounge
• Smoking Safety
• Candle Safety
• Electrical Equipment
• Heating and Fire
• Advice for Parents
• Advice for Disabled People
• Advice for the elderly
• Landlord Responsibilities
• Carbon Monoxide

Last update: 29/01/2013 11:41:49