Do a bedtime safety check
You are almost three times more likely to be killed in a fire that starts during the night.
Check
- Switch off and unplug all appliances. (Only leave on those appliances that are designed to be left
on – for example, DVD players/video recorders, freezers and clock radios.)
- Check that the oven, grill and hob are switched off.
- Don’t leave the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher running overnight (they are a fire risk because of their high wattage, friction and motors).
- Turn off all gas and electric heaters, and put a guard in front of an open fire.
- Check that candles are out. Never leave one burning when you go to sleep.
- Make sure that any cigarettes, cigars and pipes have been put out properly, and never smoke in bed.
- You could fall asleep and accidentally set fire to your bedding.
- Close all doors. By shutting doors you can keep your escape route free from fire. This is particularly important in
homes where you would not be able to escape from a window, for exampleif you live in a high-rise flat.
- Turn off your electric blanket (unlessit has a thermostat and is designed to be left on overnight).
- Check that your escape route is clear of obstacles and make sure door andwindow keys are in the right place.
If any person's clothing should catch fire, follow the “stop, drop and roll” rule to put out the flames
13 tips to protect your home
- Fit smoke alarms on each level in your home. Keep them free from dust and test them once a week.
- Consider buying a 10-year alarm, otherwise change the batteries in your alarm every year.
- Make a fire action plan so that everyone in your home knows how to escape if there’s a fire.
- Keep the exits from your home clear so that people can escape if there’s a fire. Make sure that everyone
in your home can easily find the keys for doors and windows.
- Take extra care in the kitchen – accidents while cooking account for over half of fires in homes. Never
leave young children alone in the kitchen.
- Take extra care when cooking with hot oil. Consider buying a deep-fat fryer which is controlled by a
thermostat (if you don’t already have one).
- Never leave lit candles in rooms that nobody is in or in rooms where children are on their own. Make
sure candles are in secure holders on a surface that doesn’t burn and are away from any materials that
could burn.
- Make sure cigarettes are stubbed out properly and are disposed of carefully, and never smoke in bed.
- Get into the habit of closing doors at night. If you want to keep a child’s bedroom door open, close the
doors to the lounge and kitchen. This may well help save their life if there is a fire.
- Don’t overload electrical sockets. Remember one plug for one socket.
- Keep matches and lighters where children can’t see or reach them.
- Take special care when you’re tired or when you've been drinking.
- Don’t leave the TV or other electrical appliances on standby as this couldcause a fire. Always switch
them off and unplug when not in use.