From September 2021 to September 2022, the UK Fire and Rescue Services attended 620,758 incidents. 30% of these incidents were fires. From these 186,227 fires, there were 278 fire-related fatalities.
House fires affect so many people every year, and yet there are some simple precautions that we can take to prevent fires inside and outside your home, and stop you becoming one of these statistics.
Tips for inside your home
Regularly check electricals
Ensuring that you are regularly checking your electric cables for exposed wires, loose connections or scorch marks will ensure that you are aware if any of your electric wires or cables are faulty, and you can replace them as necessary.
When you are conducting these checks, remember to also check for wear and tear on your electrical appliances.
Turn off your appliances
Excess electricity flowing through appliances that are not designed to be left on can be a fire hazard. Electrical appliances such as TVs, computers, and game systems use electricity even when they’re not on, meaning that they can either overheat or experience an electrical surge, which can cause a fire.
Make sure that all electrical appliances are turned off when you’re not using them (those that are not designed to be constantly on), especially before leaving the house or going to bed.
If you use hair styling appliances, ensure to switch them off after use and leave them to cool on a heatproof mat or surface.
Never leave electric blankets on and plugged in overnight. Turn them off before you go to bed, and check them regularly for any damage.
Check plug sockets
Make sure that any plug sockets aren’t overloaded and check for any signs of wear and tear. Do not plug too many appliances into an electrical outlet.
Cooking
Never leave pots, pans and cooking utensils unattended, and make sure to turn off a hob and oven if nothing is being cooked at the time. Be careful when pouring oil, especially round naked flames, and be sure to turn off and unplug any extra appliances, such as toasters and air fryers after use.
Candles and naked flames
Never leave any candles or naked flames unattended, especially when going out or going to bed. Avoid leaving flames near flammable materials such as paper or textiles, and use a candle snuffer to ensure the flame is completely out before leaving the room.
Smoking
Avoid smoking or vaping inside where possible. If you do smoke inside, make sure cigarettes are properly stubbed out, and never leave vape batteries on charge unattended.
Smoke alarms
Probably the most obvious tip shared in this article is to ensure that you have smoke alarms, and regularly check that they are working correctly. Purchase a smoke alarm for every floor of your home, and read the instructions on how to use it and where to position it.
Smoke alarms should be located near bedrooms, and away from air vents. Position them either on the ceiling or 6 inches below the ceiling, on the wall.
If you have a battery-powered alarm, make sure to change the batteries every six months to ensure they are working correctly.
Have an escape plan
It is a good idea to have an escape plan in place for you and your family, in case of an emergency. Be sure to practise this frequently, so that everyone in the household knows what to do in the event of a fire.
Tips for outside the home
Fires can still be fatal outside the property as well. Follow these simple steps to prevent fires in your outside spaces as well.
Cooking outside
If using a BBQ or a pizza oven outdoors, make sure they’re not placed too close to flammable items such as sheds or fences. Don’t use petrol or lighter fuel to light them, and make sure to only use them outside.
Bonfires
Don’t light a bonfire too close to fences, sheds or plants, and make sure to keep an eye on it until it is completely out. Have a bucket of water or a hose on-hand in case it gets too big. Make sure to only burn wood, paper and garden waste – not plastic.
Smoking
Similarly to inside, ensure that cigarettes are properly stubbed out before leaving them unattended.
How Nest GI can help
We know that your home is important to you, and keeping your home and family safe is of a high priority. Therefore it is important to have the right buildings and contents insurance in place to cover you for all eventualities, including house fires.
Contact us today to talk through our different products and how they can work for you.
