But there are things you can do as well, like checking your smoke alarms, keeping your communal area clear from clutter, and calling us should you ever be worried about something in your home.
Top tips for reducing fire risk in your home
- Take pans off the heat or turn them down if you need to leave the kitchen while cooking.
- Never leave children in a kitchen cooking unattended – ideally, always stay in the kitchen, especially if you’re cooking with fat.
- Keep matches and saucepan handles out of the reach of children.
- Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.
- Keep electrical appliances clean and in good working order to prevent them from triggering a fire.
- Use one plug per socket. If you are using an extension cable, try not to overload it. You can find out more about this and use the ‘Socket Overload calculator’ here.
- Keep heaters clear from curtains and furniture, and never use them for drying clothes.
- Stub cigarettes out properly and dispose of them carefully.
- Put candles in a holder and keep them away from things that may burn – never leave them burning when you’re not in the room.
- In the event of a fire, get out, stay out, call 999 – do not tackle fires yourself.
- If your clothes catch fire, remember to stop, drop and roll.
- Many fires start at night – do some checks before you go to bed.
- Make checking your smoke alarm part of your regular household routine.
- If there is a fire, know your escape route.
You can find further information on fire safety by clicking one of the buttons below.
Staying safe in your sheltered home
Staying safe in your house or bungalow
E-bikes and e-scooters
E-bikes and e-scooters have recently become a popular form of transport for many. Although there are many environmental benefits, it’s important that they are used, charged and stored safely.
We’ve put together some safety advice we hope you find useful.
- Batteries can be a fire risk if they’re overcharged, short-circuited or damaged. It’s important you check them regularly for damage and only charge them for the recommended time stated in the manufacturer’s guide.
- Never leave your e-bike or e-scooter on charge unattended, and do not put them on charge while you are asleep.
- Unplug the charger once it has finished charging.
- Never block fire escape routes with an e-bike or e-scooter.
- Never tamper with the battery, and always follow the manufacturer’s guide.
- Ensure the battery and charger meet UK safety standards, and always use the correct charger.
- Never cover the charger, as this could lead to it overheating or setting on fire.
- Be wary of DIY kits bought online to convert a standard bike into an e-bike.
Safer home visit
To see if you are eligible for a safer home visit, click here.
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