Fire Safety

Tips to keep your home and family safe from fire.

Protect against fire in your home with the following tips. A good precaution is also to have retardants sprayed onto your furniture to prevent it from burning during a fire - see Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners. These professionals can also repair furniture damage.

Some local fire stations provide a free service to inspect your home for fire risks and prevention. Contact your Local Fire Authority to find out if this is available in your area.

Escaping the Fire

• Ensure your family are aware of the safest escape route out of the home, and that it's never obstructed. Teach younger family members to stay low to the floor as they make their way out.
• 

  Put fires out fast with
  an extinguisher

  Drain the system - turn on all your cold taps.
• Windows with security gratings, burglar bars and other anti-theft mechanisms need to have a safety feature so they can be opened from the inside. These windows should not be nailed down or painted shut.
• If the fire is minor, it can be put out fast with a household A-B-C-type fire extinguisher or a fire blanket. Ensure you have these easily to hand and that all family members know how to use them.

Smoke Alarms

• 

  Install a reliable
  smoke alarm

  It's wise to install reliable smoke alarms. The earlier you're alerted to a fire, the better your chances of getting out alive. See Handymen to get the job done.
• To ensure smoke alarms are at their most effective, place them outside bedrooms on the ceiling or high on the wall. Other good areas include the top of open stairways, the bottom of enclosed stairs and near (but not in) the kitchen.
• Test and clean smoke alarms once a month and replace batteries at least once a year. Replace smoke alarms once every 10 years.

Matches and Smoking

• If possible, lock all matches and lighters away from children's reach.
• Never ever smoke in bed or when drowsy or medicated.
• To protect your home against unforeseen problems that can hit the pocket hard, you might also want to take out Water Supply Pipe Cover.

Electrical Wiring

• Frayed or exposed wires along with loose plugs are a fire hazard, so keep your eye on maintaining them.
• Plug outlets need properly fitted cover plates with no exposed wiring.
• Try not to overload extension cords or plug sockets. If you must, consider using a circuit breaker to prevent sparks and short circuits.
• Make sure insulation doesn't touch bare electrical wiring.
• It's generally recommended that you have electrical wiring faults assessed and repaired by a professional since it can be dangerous - see Electricians. To troubleshoot electrical faults, see Electrical Problems. For troubleshooting appliance faults, see Appliance Fault Advisor.

Flammable Items

• Flammable liquids (e.g. benzene, naptha) should never be stored indoors. Store them in approved containers in a well ventilated area.
• Never ever smoke near flammable liquids.
• Rags or materials that have come into contact with flammable liquids must be either discarded or safely stored away in a metal container.
• Ensure that the chimney is three foot higher than the roof. Any hanging branches around the chimney should immediately be removed. See Tree Surgeons.
• Don't be a hoarder - clean out storage areas where flammable material (newspapers, magazines) can build up.

Heating Sources

• Heaters should be positioned at least three feet away from flammable materials.
• Open flames should be kept away from flammable items, curtains, furniture and walls.
• If you have youngsters running around a fireplace, install a screen for their protection.