By following this simple advice you can help to reduce the risk of having a fire in your home this winter.
CELEBRATIONS
- For many people, cultural and religious festivals are an enormously important part of life, but during celebrations it’s easy to get distracted and be less aware of the risk of fire.
- Having a party? Don’t leave fire safety to the morning after!
- Let your guests know your fire escape plan and where to find door & window keys.
- Make sure exits are clear.
- Remember - it’s easy to be careless when you are tired or if you have been drinking.
- Take particular care of elderly people, children or people with disabilities.
- If your guests smoke put out plenty of ashtrays and empty them regularly into a metal bin placed outside – this will help prevent butts being placed carelessly in wastepaper bins or on furniture!
- Keep decorations and greeting cards away from heaters, lights, the fireplace and candles.
- Don’t throw wrapping paper onto an open fire – recycle! Similarly after Christmas take your tree to a re-cycling centre, do not burn on your open fire.
LIGHTING
- In the event of a power failure, use battery operated lights or torches as an alternative light source. If you must use candles, never carry them lit, make sure you follow the safety guidelines listed below.
- If you use a gas or paraffin lamp make sure it is working properly and used in a well ventilated area.
- If you want to subdue the lighting, a low wattage bulb should be used.
- Never position lights or bulbs near curtains and other fabrics.
- Never cover your lights with fabric.
- Decorative/festive lights are not used often and need more care both in storage and use.
- Check that the fuse in the plug is the right size.
- Replace bulbs that blow.
- Don’t leave decorative lights on when you leave the house.
- Don’t let hot bulbs come into contact with paper or fabrics.
- Don’t overload sockets.
CANDLES
The popularity of candles and scented burners has increased the risk of fire and accidents in the home.
You can greatly reduce the risks by following this simple advice:
- Make sure the candle is standing up straight in a non-flammable holder that will not fall or get knocked over easily.
- Always place candles on a heat-resistant surface. Night lights and tea lights can melt plastic surfaces, such as the top of a TV and the side of a modern bath suite.
- Always leave at least 10cm (4inches) between two candles and never place them under shelves or other surfaces.
- Scented candles turn to liquid in order to release their fragrance, so always stand them in a suitable container.
- Keep them out of reach of children and pets.
- Always place candles and burners well away from curtains, furniture and drapes and always out of drafts.
- Never leave a candle or burner unattended.
- Always extinguish before going to bed , before it burns into the holder, or if you want to move it.
- Extinguish with a ‘snuffer’ or spoon, rather than blowing. This prevents sparks and hot wax being blown from the candle.
- Don’t lean across a candle - you could set fire to your hair or clothing.
- Always follow any manufacturer’s instructions on your candles and scented burners.
- Consider an extra smoke alarm in the rooms that candles are burnt in.
HEATERS
- Always position heaters so the back is against a wall and they’re facing the room. If possible, secure them to the wall to prevent them from falling over.
- Switch heaters off if you’re not in the room and also when you go to bed.
- Portable gas heaters should have the cylinders stored and changed outside or in a well ventilated atmosphere.
- Both gas and paraffin heaters should only be used in a well ventilated area. They consume oxygen from the atmosphere and can cause death by asphyxiation (suffocation), if not adequately ventilated.
- Don’t place heaters near curtains or furnishings and never use them for drying clothes.
ELECTRIC BLANKETS
- If a blanket has scorch marks or exposed elements, it should not be used.
- Over blankets are designed to be left switched on, whilst under blankets must be switched off before getting into bed.
- If your blanket is more than 10 years old or if it shows signs of wear and tear, the best advice is to get a new one.
- When buying a new electric blanket, ensure it has ‘overheat protection’, which will cut off the electricity if it becomes too hot.
- Electric blankets should carry the British Standard Kitemark and the BritishElectrotechnical Approvals Board (BEAB) symbol on them.
- Have your blanket checked by an expert once every three years or as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Don’t fold electric blankets. Protect the wiring inside them by storing them flat or rolled up.
- Don’t leave an electric blanket switched on all night, unless it is thermostatically controlled so it can be used all night.
- Never use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric blanket, even if the blanket is switched off.
The Electric Blanket Testing Campaign, in partnership with Hampshire Trading Standards, Portsmouth Trading Standards, Southampton Trading Standards and local Councils has now ended for 2006.
Out of the 1146 blankets tested 648 passed. We identified 497 faulty blankets, which were repaired at the time or condemned, which means we have prevented 497 potential fires in the home.
Finally, spare a thought for elderly relatives, friends and neighbours. Are they as safe from fire as they could be?
Community Fire Safety
Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service |
