Fire Safety at Home Did you know…? • You are four times more likely to die in a fire if you do not have a smoke alarm that works • 21 people die each year because the battery in their smoke alarm was flat or missing at the time of the fire • Around half of home fires are caused by cooking accidents • Three fires a day are started by candles • Every five days someone dies from a fire caused by a cigarette • Faulty electrics (appliances, wiring and overloaded sockets) cause around 6,000 fires in the home across the country every year.

Top tips to make sure your family is safe • Test your fire alarm once a week and report any faults • Discuss the evacuation plan with members of your family so everyone is clear what to do • Close doors at night • Unplug any electrical items not in use • Take care with candles and never place tea-light candles on televisions • Do not leave your heater switched on while you sleep; it should never be left unattended • Do not over load electrical sockets. Remember: 1 socket - 1 plug • Communal accommodation - NEVER store pushchairs, bicycles, mobility scooters or rubbish in corridors – these are fire escape routes.

If your fire alarm sounds – GET OUT, STAY OUT, GET THE FIRE SERVICE OUT…DIAL 999 July 2015

Safety in the Home SMOKE ALARM SAFETY Smoke alarms give you and your family early warning of fire. Be safe, not sorry! • Test your smoke alarm once a week • From time to time put the hoover attachment against it to get rid of any dust • Never tamper with a smoke alarm • If it is faulty, report it • Discuss an escape plan with your family.

If your fire alarm sounds – GET OUT, STAY OUT, GET THE FIRE SERVICE OUT…DIAL 999 July 2015

ELECTRICAL SAFETY Nine out of 10 electrical fires are caused by electrical products. Cookers, microwaves, washing machines, tumble dryers, electrical lighting, portable heaters and TV’s are the most likely to cause electrical fires. By taking some simple precautions you can reduce the risk of fire: • Do not overload sockets • Never ignore burning smells, buzzing or crackling, fuses blowing or circuit breakers tripping • Do not let leads from appliances like kettles or toasters trail across the cooker • Never use the top of your microwave for extra storage • Never dry clothes on or near the cooker • Do not let fat and grease build up on or in the cooker • Make sure you turn the cooker off when you have finished using it • Do not store burnable materials (clothes, paper, cleaning materials) close to the electricity meter or fuse box (particularly if these are under the stairs). All UK modern appliances use a square-pin 13amp plug. Use plugs with the British Standard safety mark. Check the cable and ask these questions: • Is it securely attached to the appliance and the plug? • Is it cut, worn or damaged? Check the condition and safety of plugs, sockets and flexible cables (if they are damaged they can cause electric shocks, burns and fires).

If your fire alarm sounds – GET OUT, STAY OUT, GET THE FIRE SERVICE OUT…DIAL 999 July 2015

EXTENSION LEADS – remember • Before plugging appliances into the extension, check the current rating – this should be clearly marked on the back or underneath of the extension • Never plug in appliances that together exceed the maximum rating of the extension • Never plug one extension lead into another • Beware of warning signs such as the smell of burning plastic, sparks or smoke, damaged leads, coloured wires showing inside the plug or anywhere else.

If your fire alarm sounds – GET OUT, STAY OUT, GET THE FIRE SERVICE OUT…DIAL 999 July 2015

PORTABLE HEATERS Electric heaters are great for keeping your home extra warm in chilly weather, but portable heaters are dangerous if not used with care: • Make sure your heater is on a level surface • Keep your heater at least a metre away from any materials that are likely to catch fire, such as paper, furniture or curtains; never use it to dry clothes! • Never plug your heater into an extension lead • Regularly check your heater is in good condition

If your fire alarm sounds – GET OUT, STAY OUT, GET THE FIRE SERVICE OUT…DIAL 999 July 2015

SMOKING SAFELY • More people die in fires caused by smoking than in fires caused by anything else. Safety tips if you smoke • Never smoke in bed • Do not smoke if you are drowsy - especially if you are sitting in a comfortable chair or if you been drinking or taking prescription drugs; it is easy to fall asleep • Do not leave a lit cigarette (or cigar or pipe) – they can easily fall onto the carpet or other flammable material; and make sure your ashtray is heavy and cannot tip easily • Make totally sure that your butts (and any remains in your pipe bowl) are not still smoldering when you have finished with them; wet them and empty your ashtray into a metal bin outside the house • Keep lighters, matches and smoking materials out of the reach of children – you can also buy child-resistant lighters and containers for matches.

If your fire alarm sounds – GET OUT, STAY OUT, GET THE FIRE SERVICE OUT…DIAL 999 July 2015

E- CIGARETTES CHARGERS You should be aware that there have been a number of incidents of e-cigarette chargers catching fire. • E-cigarette chargers are thought to cause at least one blaze every week in the UK • Eight times more fires involving the gadgets than in 2012, with 62 in 2014 • Fire brigades warn users not to plug devices into computers or DVD players • Beware of cheap imports • Always unplug chargers when not in use or you are away from home

If your fire alarm sounds – GET OUT, STAY OUT, GET THE FIRE SERVICE OUT…DIAL 999 July 2015

Seasonal Fire Safety You might not think about it, but each season brings its own health and safety hazards – especially when it comes to fire safety. This handy information will help you and your family to stay safe by explaining the possible risks that you might come across throughout the year, and how best to avoid them.

SPRING/SUMMER It’s that time of year when the sun is starting to show its face! Make sure you and your family are safe by checking your fire alarm and paying attention to a few simple but lifesaving fire-safety tips.

Garden Safety Electrical tools make gardening much easier, but you must remember that electricity and water do not mix! You must always wait until the ground is dry before using electrical equipment outdoors.

Cut the lawn. Not the cable! Barbecues (BBQ) We all love a BBQ over the summer months – if the weather allows! But, there are a few things you must remember:

• Keep children and pets well away from the cooking area • Keep a bucket of water, bucket of sand or garden hose nearby while cooking • Never leave the BBQ unattended. Charcoal BBQ’s • Use only enough charcoal to cover the base to a depth of about 50mm (2 inches) • Use suitable fire lighters or BBQ fluid (Do not use petrol, white spirit or a flammable liquid) • When you have finished cooking, make sure the BBQ is cold before trying to move it • Do not dispose of the ashes until you are sure they are cold. Gas BBQ’s • Before changing the gas cylinder, make sure the tap is ‘turned off’ • Change gas cylinders in the open air – not in an enclosed space • Never change the cylinder whilst smoking or near naked flames • Do not store cylinders in your home • When you are finished cooking, turn off the gas at the cylinder valve

General BBQ safety • Make sure your BBQ is level and away from trees, buildings, bushes and fences July 2015

AUTUMN / WINTER As the leaves fall from the trees, the air starts to chill and we move towards the cold winter months, there are lots of things to celebrate, but many precautions to take….

Halloween & Bonfire Night Safety Remember, remember to celebrate safely! Have fun, stay safe and attend an organised display.

1. Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable 2. Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time 3. Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary 4. Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back 5. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks 6. Never return to a firework once it has been lit 7. Do not put fireworks in pockets and never throw them

Halloween and Bonfire night can be great fun for all the family but it is important that you celebrate safely.

8. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators

Firework Top Ten Safety Code

10. Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings area made safe before leaving.

9. Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire

Young people should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance and follow the safety rules for using sparklers. Only adults should deal with firework displays and the lighting of fireworks.

July 2015

Electric Blanket Safety As the cold weather creeps up on us, many of us dust off the electric blanket. But be careful, do not risk a fire. Electric blankets account for over 5,000 fires a year and you can prevent this by taking some simple steps. Use your electric blanket safely: • Always follow the instructions • Never use an electric under blanket as an electric over blanket, and vice versa • Keep all blankets flat • Tie electric under blankets to the bed or mattress – this stops them slipping and creasing, which could damage them • Only leave a blanket switched on all night if it has thermostatic controls for safe all-night use • Do not get blankets wet, and if your blanket does get wet, do no use it. Never switch it on to dry it. Electric Blanket danger signs: • Fraying fabric • Scorch marks and exposed elements • Creasing or folding • Soiling or damp patches • Tie tapes damaged or missing • Worn flex and loose connections.

Make sure your electric blanket is tested by an expert at least every three years and replace it at least every 10 years. Look for the British or European standard and make sure it has a safety certification mark. Remember…It’s cheaper to replace a worn electric blanket than it is to replace your family and your home!

Candles and naked flames Candles, incense and oil burners are really popular but did you know that they are one of the biggest causes of fire within homes. Always keep an eye on these items to keep you and your home safe. Advice to keep you safe • Always use a heat resistant holder on a stable surface, which will not be knocked over • Tea lights can melt through plastic surfaces like a TV or bath • Keep these items away from materials that may catch fire such as curtains, furniture, clothes and hair • Make sure you put out any candles, incense and oil burners when you leave the room and especially before bed • Keep out of reach of children and pets

July 2015

Electrical Safety at Christmas

Christmas is a special time and should not end in tragedy because of the extra hazards that are present at this time of year. The following advice should help to keep you and your family safe: Fairy Lights • Check the fuses are the right type (All UK modern appliances use a square-pin 13amp plug. Use plugs with the British Standard safety mark) • If bulbs blow, replace them • Do not leave fairy lights on when you go out or when you go to sleep • Do not let the bulbs touch anything that can burn easily, like paper • Do not overload sockets.

Decorations • Decorations made of light tissue paper or cardboard burn easily • Do not attach them to lights or heaters • Do not put them immediately above or around the fireplace • Keep them away from candles.

Christmas Trees Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases. • Do not place your tree close to a fireplace or heat vent • Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near the tree • Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks • Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times • When the tree becomes dry, take it down and take it to a recycling centre.

July 2015