Home fires are one of the leading causes of death and injury in the United Kingdom. Every year, more than 3,500 people die in home fires and more than 18,000 are injured. Home fires can happen anywhere and at any time. The best way to protect yourself and your family from a fire is to be prepared.
There are many potential fire hazards in the home, but there are also some simple steps you can take to help keep yourself and your family safe. Here are some tips on how to stay safe from fire in the home:
- Install smoke alarms and test them regularly. Smoke alarms can give you an early warning if there is a fire in your home, so it is important to make sure they are in good working order.
- Don't leave candles or other open flames unattended. Candles are a common cause of house fires, so it is important to make sure they are always extinguished properly before leaving them unattended.
- Be careful when using electrical appliances. Electrical appliances can be a fire hazard if they are not used properly. Always unplug them when you are finished using them and never leave them unattended while they are turned on.
- Keep flammable materials away from heat sources. Things like hair spray, cleaning products, and gasoline should be kept away from any source of heat, such as a stove or heater.
- Have a plan in place in case of a fire. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do if there is a fire in your home. Practice your fire escape plan regularly so that everyone knows what to do in an emergency situation.
Special recommendations: Smoke Alarm
When it comes to fire safety, one of the most important things you can do is install a smoke alarm. Smoke alarms are designed to detect smoke and sound an alarm to warn people of a fire.
There are two types of smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectric. Ionization smoke alarms are more sensitive to smaller, invisible particles of combustion, while photoelectric smoke alarms are more sensitive to larger smoke particles. Both types of Smoke Alarms are effective at detecting fires and saving lives.
The installation and maintenance of smoke alarm
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom and on every floor of your home, including the basement.
- Keep smoke alarms at least 10 feet away from the kitchen to prevent false alarms.
- Place fire alarms on the ceiling or on a high wall near the ceiling.
- People who are deaf or hard of hearing should install smoke alarms with strobe lights and shakers.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
- If battery-operated, replace the batteries in your smoke alarm at least once a year.
- Completely replace smoke alarms that are 10 years old or older.
What to do if there is a fire?
If there is a fire, it is important to stay safe. Here are some tips on how to stay safe from fire:
- evacuate the area immediately
- do not try to fight the fire
- if you must escape, use a wet towel or blanket to cover your face and mouth
- never use an elevator during a fire
- be sure to have an emergency plan and practice it regularly with your family or roommates
- If you live in a multi-story building, always plan to use stairs or fire escapes, not elevators