Fire safety

Fire safety is everyone's responsibility.

Whether you live in a house, bungalow or a flat, taking simple steps can help prevent fires and keep you, your family and your neighbours safe.

This page applies to all homes, including -

• houses
• bungalows
• flats
• privately-owned homes and leaseholds

If you live in a flat or high-rise building, you should also read our fire safety in your flat page for important information about communal areas, fire doors and evacuation arrangements.

Smoking

More deaths are caused by fire from smoking (including cigarettes, roll-ups, cigars and pipes) than any other type of fire. Below are tips on how to keep safe whilst smoking -

• put out your cigarettes completely and dispose of them properly
• it’s safer to smoke outside but, if you have a balcony, do not throw cigarettes and so on over the side, dispose of them safely and responsibly
• never smoke in bed
• take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs or if you’ve been drinking alcohol
• if you’re feeling tired, do not smoke in armchairs and sofas and do not balance lit cigarettes on the edge of an ashtray or anything else
• run water on your ashtray before you empty it
• if you use a vape, only use the charger that came with it - always check the battery for damage, buy from a reputable seller and don’t leave it charging for extended periods

Heaters

The use of portable heaters should be avoided, however if you do need to use a portable heater, oil filled radiators are recommended to reduce the risk of fire. These have no exposed heating elements and are also designed with safety features to prevent overheating and accidents.such as-

• automatic shut-off
• thermal cut-outs
• tip-over protection

Oil filled radiators provide long-lasting, efficient heat even after being turned off.

If you are to use a portable heater -

• never dry clothes on your heaters or leave them switched on when you are out
• keep heaters well away from curtains, furniture or anything flammable
• do not sit too close to a heater, keep at least one metre away
• when you switch your heater off, let it cool down before moving it

Do not use paraffin, kerosene or Calor gas in portable gas heaters as they can be extremely dangerous. They can increase the risk of fire and explosion and give off carbon monoxide. This can put your life and the lives of your neighbours at risk.

If you live in a council home, you must not use paraffin or petrol heaters, or liquid or bottled gas heaters, in the premises without written consent. To do so would breach the conditions as set out in your tenancy agreement. More information on your tenancy agreement can be found on my tenancy page.

Candles

Candles are naked flames. Candles cause over 800 fires in Uk homes every year.

Take care when lighting candles. Remember -

• never place candles on top of electrical appliances
• if you use candles, ensure they are kept away from materials that might catch fire, such as curtains or furniture and are kept out of reach of children or pets
• to make sure all candles are completely put out before leaving a room, especially before going to bed

Flammable items

Flammable items are substances, materials or processes which can burn or explode, and should not be brought into homes.

Do not bring in or store any -

• paraffin heaters
• liquid or bottled gas heaters
• petrol
• other dangerous materials

The only exception is when they are needed for medical purposes, and the equipment has been prescribed by a medical practitioner

Do not use fireworks inside.

If you live in a council home, you must not keep -

• petrol
• paraffin
• liquid or bottled gas
• any other flammable materials

at the premises except where necessary for normal domestic purposes, for medical purposes where the equipment has been prescribed by a registered medical practitioner or for use in heaters without written consent.

To do so, would breach the conditions as set out in your tenancy agreement.

Oxygen 

If you use medical oxygen at home for health reasons, below are some guidelines you should follow in relation to fire prevention -

• do not smoke, set fire to anything, light a candle or turn your cooker on whilst using an oxygen mask
• keep oxygen at least two meters (six feet) away from heat sources such as cookers, candles and lighters
• do not use flammable products whilst using an oxygen mask
• store oxygen cylinders upright and secure

Emollient skin products (for example, petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil and dimethicone)

Emollient skin products are moisturizing treatments including creams, ointments, and lotions designed to soothe, hydrate, and soften dry, itchy, or scaly skin by forming a protective, moisture-trapping layer.

Whilst these products are safe to use, they can soak into clothing, dressings and bedding, leaving a flammable residue.

If you use these types of products for health reasons, follow the advice provided with your medication. Here are some guidelines you should follow in relation to fire prevention -

• avoid smoking or using naked flames (and being near to others who do) whilst these products are in contact with your clothes, dressings or bandages
• make sure clothes and bedding are changed regularly (if possible, daily), as the skin product soaks into fabrics and is a potential fire hazard
• take care to make sure that the product does not soak into chairs or other furniture
• do not sit too close to open fires or portable heaters

All emollients, when soaked into fabrics, can significantly increase the fire risk, irrespective of their paraffin content. This is the case even if they contain no paraffin or low paraffin levels. 

Wash fabrics to reduce the risk.

Wash fabrics such as clothes, bed sheets and furniture throws regularly at the highest temperature indicated on the care instructions to try and remove any emollient residue. This may reduce the risk but will not eliminate it.

Do not dry these fabrics on, or in front of, heaters.

If using a tumble dryer, use a cooler temperature setting and ensure it runs the full cycle including the cool down cycle. Allow items to cool fully before folding to allow any heat to dissipate.

If there is a fire in your home leave immediately close all doors and windows and call 999.