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Fires

 

Fire safety at home

Most fires happen in the home, where young children can be particularly vulnerable. Their natural curiosity means they may not recognise potential dangers. Simple precautions and safer everyday habits can greatly reduce the risk of fire, burns and serious injury.

This section provides practical advice to help parents, carers and professionals identify fire hazards, improve home safety and protect children from harm.

 fire risks

 

 

Keep children safe around fires and heaters:

Open fires, wood burners, gas fires, electric heaters and portable heating appliances can all cause serious burns.  

log burner

Always:

  • Supervise babies and young children around fires and heaters
  • Use a secure fire guard that is fixed to the wall
  • Ensure guards cannot be pulled over or easily removed
  • Fit additional protection around portable or fitted heaters
  • Keep furniture, toys, clothing and soft furnishings well away from heat sources. 


Costumes, celebrations and candles:

Dressing up, parties and celebrations should be fun, but costumes and loose fabrics can catch fire quickly when exposed to flames or heat.  

Always:

  • Choose battery-operated LED candles whenever possible
  • Keep candles away from costumes, curtains and decorations
  • Extinguish candles fully after use.

Never:

  • Leave lit candles unattended
  • Allow children to light, carry or play near candles.

More information can be found at RoSPA - Halloween safety.

fancy dress costumes


Install and test smoke alarms:

Smoke alarms are one of the most effective ways to protect your family. They provide valuable early warning, giving everyone more time to escape safely.

 Always:

  • Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home
  • Consider interconnected alarms, mains-powered alarms or those with sealed 10-year batteries
  • Test alarms weekly
  • Replace batteries immediately if the alarm starts to chirp
  • Replace smoke alarms according to the manufacturer's guidance. 


Fireworks and bonfires:

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is at an organised public display. Fireworks, sparklers and bonfires can cause serious injuries if safety precautions are not followed. 

Always:

  • Keep children well away from fireworks
  • Follow the manufacturer's instructions
  • Keep fuel containers sealed and safely stored
  • Place used sparklers in a bucket of cold water after use
  • Point rockets away from people, buildings and trees.

Never:

  • Give sparklers to children under five-years-old
  • Hold a baby or young child while holding a sparkler

fire work

 

Remember: Only adults should buy, set up, light and dispose of fireworks. 
For more information on fireworks visit our firework safety page.


Prevent everyday fire risks:

Many fires start during everyday activities or through unsafe use of electrical products.

turning off socket

 

Always:

  • Keep matches and lighters out of children's sight and reach
  • Supervise children around cooking areas
  • Turn pan handles away from the edge of the hob
  • Switch off electrical items when not in use
  • Use chargers supplied by the manufacturer or purchased from reputable retailers
  • Register appliances to receive safety alarts and recall notifications.

Never:

  • Leave phones, tablets, e-scooters and e-bike batteries or laptops charging on beds, sofas or other soft furnishings
  • Overload plugs sockets or extension leads.

Electrical Safety Reminder: Register your appliances with the manufacturer or at www.registermyappliance.org.uk to receive important product safety information and product recall notices.


Know what to do in a fire

Every household should have a simple escape plan that everyone understands. 

Think about:

  • The quickest way out of each room
  • How you will exit if your main route is blocked
  • Where keys are kept
  • Night-time arrangements for children
  • A safe meeting place outside.

If there is a fire:

  • Stay calm and act quickly
  • Get everyone out immediately
  • Do not stop to collect belongings
  • Close doors behind when you leave.

Remember: If there is smoke, stay low where the air is clearer. If a door feels warm, do not open it. Once outside, call 999 and never go back into the building.

 

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Questions to discuss with families

Use these questions to help families identify fire risks and improve home safety:

•  Do you have working smoke alarms on every floor?
•  When did you last test your smoke alarms?
•  Are fires, heaters, candles, matches and lighters kept away from children?
•  Does everyone in your household know how to escape if there is a fire?
•  Have you agreed to a family meeting place outside of the home?
•  Have you discussed and practiced a simple fire escape plan?