Fire safety

 

Get out, stay out and call 999

If a fire starts inside your home, the most important thing to remember is to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 999

 

Stop, Drop and Roll

If your clothes catch fire, remember STOP, DROP and ROLL. Do not run around, it will make the flames worse. Lie down and roll around.

 

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue has developed advice and guidance on how to reduce the risk of fires associated with common fire hazards around the home, including:

• Candles, Cooking and Escape Planning
• Electrical safety
• Fire and Heaters (Safer Heating)
• Clutter and Hoarding
• Smoking related fires
• Medicines and Medical devices
• Oxygen
• Emollients (flammable creams, lotions and skin products)
• Assistive technology
• Deliberate fires

Download the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue factsheets.

 

Escaping from a fire

If your smoke alarm goes off, never assume it is a false alarm!

In the event of a fire:

• Shout out to alert others in the home
• Before you open a door, check if it is warm with the back of your hand. If it is, don’t open it, there may be fire on the other side
• Close doors behind you to slow down the spread of fire and smoke
• If there’s smoke, keep low
• Keep calm and get out
• Don’t waste time collecting valuables
• If you are unable to escape, get into a safe room, close the door, put blankets at the bottom of the door to stop some of the smoke, open the window, shout Fire and call 999

 

Escape plans

• The best escape route is the normal way in and out of your home
• Plan for a second route in case the first one is blocked
• Make sure your escape route is clear of anything that may slow down your escape
• Choose a safe meeting place a safe distance from your home
• Keep door and window keys where everyone you live with can find them
• Make sure everyone that lives in the house knows the escape plan
• Practice getting low and moving to your exits in case there is smoke

 

Smoking and vaping safety

Smoking is the most common cause of fire deaths in the home. Reduce the risk by smoking outside, quitting or switching to a vape and keeping your home smoke free.

If you do smoke:

• Do not smoke when drinking alcohol or feeling drowsy
• Always use a proper ashtray with water in the bottom
• Keep lighters and matches away from children
• Never leave a lit cigarette unattended
• Make sure cigarettes are completely out – wet them to be sure
• Ensure contents of the ashtray are completely cool before emptying into the bin
• Never smoke in bed and take extra care when smoking if you are feeling tired, it is easy to fall asleep whilst smoking

 

Vaping

E-cigarettes (or electronic cigarettes) have become a popular alternative to smoking. This is also known as vaping.

To reduce your risk of fire or accidents:

• only use the charger supplied with your vaping kit
• read the instructions and warnings provided by the manufacturer
• do not over-tighten the screwed connection to the battery
• do not leave your e-cigarette on charge overnight or unattended
• only buy chargers with the CE mark
• do not use chargers if connections or cables are damaged

 

Electrical safety

• Make sure plug sockets are not overloaded
• Do not use ‘cube’ type adaptors
• Do not use damaged cables
• Only use the charger provided with the equipment
• Turn off and unplug anything electrical that does not need to be left on
• Switch off washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers whilst you are asleep
• Don’t run cords under carpeting, bedding, or other combustible materials
• All electrical products should be used safely and in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions
• Register your electrical appliances to make sure you are alerted when there is a safety concern with the product. Register your appliances at registermyappliance.org.uk

 

Kitchen safety

More fires and fire injuries are caused by carelessness in the kitchen than anywhere else in the home.

• Always stay with your cooking
• Follow cooking instructions carefully
• Never put metal in your microwave
• Keep worktops clear from clutter
• Keep tea towels and clothes away from the cooker and hob
• Keep cooking appliances free from grease build up
• If you deep fry food, use an electric deep fat fryer that has a thermostat
• Avoid cooking when under the influence of alcohol or medications which make you drowsy
• Double check your cooker is off when you’ve finished cooking

 

Candles

• Make sure you put out any candles, incense and oil burners when you leave the room and especially before bed
• Always use candles and incense sticks in a proper holder, use a heat resistant holder on a stable surface
• Keep candles away from soft furnishings
• Keep candles and naked flames out of reach of children and pets

Reduce the risk of candle fires by replacing tea light candles for low risk battery powered LED candles.

 

Heaters

• Make sure that portable heaters or radiators are plugged into their own socket and not into an extension lead
• Keep the heater away from flammable material
• Have your boiler serviced every year
• Make sure heaters are well maintained and in good working order
• Where appropriate, secure heaters against a wall to stop them falling over, or fit wall mounted heaters
• Keep heaters well away from clothes, curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes
• Always sit at least one metre away from a heater as it could set light to your clothes or chair
• Before attempting to move your heater, turn it off and allow it to cool

 

Open fires and log burners

• Do not store logs close to a wood burner or fire
• Keep chimneys and flues clean and well maintained
• Use a fire guard to protect against flying sparks and hot embers
• Before you go to bed, ensure fires are right out
• Make sure your chimney is swept by a professional at least once a year for coal and twice a year if you are burning logs

 

Medications, Emollient creams and Medical oxygen

• Avoid smoking and cooking whilst taking medications that make you drowsy or affect your ability to react quickly
• Some emollient creams can be flammable, stay away from naked flames and wash clothing and bedding regularly to prevent build up. If you use paraffin-based emollient creams, ask for non-flammable alternatives
• Never smoke if you use medical oxygen, or an airflow pressure relief mattress. Stay at least 3 metres from heat sources and leave an hour for oxygen to disperse before cooking
• If you have a medical need for gas cylinders, they should be kept upright and outdoors where possible. Do not store cylinders in basements, under stairs or in cupboards with electric equipment

 

Hoarding

High levels of clutter make it much easier for a fire to start. The clutter means that a fire has a greater risk of spreading, which increases the risk of death or injury. Clutter can also make it very difficult to escape.

• Newspapers, mail, boxes etc. stored in bulk are highly combustible and will cause a fire to spread rapidly
• Ensure items are stored on stable surfaces
• Do not stack items to a height that they become unstable – they could fall over blocking your escape route
• Do not place items on or close to heaters, lamps, or other electrical equipment
• Plan and practice how to escape from your home if there was a fire. Choose an escape route and keep it clear of possessions

 

Bedtime routine

You are more at risk from a fire when asleep, so it’s important to check your home before you go to bed.

Working smoke alarms should wake you if a fire breaks out. Follow these simple steps before you go to bed to further reduce your risk of fire.

• Close internal doors at night to stop a fire from spreading
• Turn off and unplug electrical appliances unless they are designed to be left on, such as fridges and freezers
• Check your cooker is switched off
• Don’t leave the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher on overnight
• Turn portable heaters and gas fires off, make sure log burners are out completely
• Do not charge mobile and electrical devices overnight
• Make sure escape routes are clear of anything that could slow you down in an emergency
• Ensure your door keys are by the door and easy to access
• Ensure mobility aids are close to hand for those who require them
• Take your mobile with you and ensure you can call 999 in an emergency

 

Polystyrene ceiling tiles

Polystyrene is a highly flammable or easily ignited product.

Polystyrene tiles were fashionable in the 1970s and 1980s. They were used for thermal insulation reasons, to conceal defects in ceilings and were regarded as being attractive to look at.

Early types of these tiles can be a fire hazard. When they burn, flames can spread quickly, give off toxic fumes and drip blobs of hot molten plastic, which can potentially cause skin burns.

If you have polystyrene ceiling tiles, make sure you have a fire escape route that avoids passing underneath them to avoid the risk of burns from hot dripping plastic.

Whilst newer polystyrene tiles contain a flame retardant additive, many older ones do not and it is advisable to remove them.

 

Alarms

• Fit a smoke alarm on every level of your home
• Vacuum the dust from your smoke alarms and inspect them regularly
• Don’t take out the batteries unless you are replacing them
• Install an additional smoke alarm in rooms with bunk beds
• Test your alarm once a week
• Fit a carbon monoxide detector in every room where there is an appliance such as a boiler, hob, open fire or wood burner

Heat alarms fitted in kitchens can detect an increase in temperature caused by a fire but will not be set off by cooking fumes. Around 50% of fires in the home start in the kitchen so it is recommended that heat alarms are fitted.

Smoke alarms may beep unexpectedly; before assuming the unit is defective, vacuum the unit and test it.

Carbon Monoxide alarms work in a similar way to a smoke alarm by sounding to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning when they detect carbon monoxide in the home.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing may need additional ways of making them aware an alarm has been activated, including vibrating pads and flashing strobe lights.

For further information about smoke alarms for deaf and hard of hearing people, contact the RNID or visit the RNID shop.

 

Testing

• To test your alarms, press the central button (with a broom-handle or umbrella if you cannot reach) and listen for a high pitch beep.
• If the unit makes a noise, it is working and the bleeping will settle and quieten.
• If your alarm keeps bleeping, it could mean the batteries need replacing. If your alarm has a built in battery you will need to replace the whole unit.

 

Smoke detectors (smoke alarms)

It is recommended that you have at least one smoke detector on every level of your home, and ideally in all rooms except for your kitchen and bathroom.

Smoke detectors need testing regularly to make sure that they are working and provide early warning of a fire.

• Test the battery at least once a month. Press the button until the alarm sounds
• Change the battery once a year (unless you have installed a long-life alarm)
• Open the case and gently vacuum the inside twice a year to remove dust from the sensors. If yours does not open, you can vacuum through the holes
• Replace your smoke detector every 10 years
• Always follow the manufacturer instructions
• Replace sealed detector units on their expiry date and replace the entire unit

Never remove the battery or disconnect a beeping alarm. Test and clean your smoke detector and change the battery (unless it is a ten-year alarm or a hard-wired system).

 

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide can be produced when poorly maintained, incorrectly fitted or badly repaired appliances do not burn fuel correctly.

Look out for the following signs that could indicate that a fuel-burning appliance is not working correctly, and CO may be present in the house:

• Floppy yellow or orange flame on your gas hob, rather than a crisp blue flame
• Dark, sooty staining on or around gas appliances
• Pilot lights that frequently blow out
• Increased condensation inside windows

Know the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Breathlessness
• Dizziness
• Collapse
• Loss of Consciousness

 

SHERMAN

Different lifestyles or vulnerabilities can mean some people are more at risk of harm from fire.

The SHERMAN campaign highlights seven factors that put people at greater risk of having a fire, or being less likely to react to a fire.

It aims to increase both public and professional awareness of the risk factors. It encourages them to contact the fire service through an Online Home Fire Safety Check.

Click the links below for more advice and information about supporting people who may be more at risk in a fire.

• Smoking
• Hoarding
• Elderly people or those who live alone
• Reduced mobility, hearing or visual impairments
• Mental health issues
• Alcohol misuse, drugs/medication dependence
• Needing care or support

 

Online Home Fire Safety Check

This easy-to-follow home fire safety check has been developed through a partnership between the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Fire Kills and Safelincs. It will take you through your home one room at a time and the simple questions will help you spot fire risks as you go around your home.

The tool will offer tips and advice on the steps you can take to reduce those risks. At the end, you will receive a personalised fire safety action plan to help keep you and your household safe from fire.

This tool is accessible on a mobile device and can be completed by the resident, a relative, carer or a visiting professional in just a few minutes.

Take the Online Home Fire Safety Check.

 

Home Fire Safety Visit

Any professional can refer someone for a Home Fire Safety Visit if concerned about their fire safety. The referral process will assess if the occupant is eligible for a Home Fire Safety Visit.

Find out more about Home Fire Safety Visits

 

Gas Safe

An unsafe gas appliance has the potential to lead to gas leaks, fires and explosions, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, but these are all risks which can be avoided by following some simple gas safety advice.

In the UK, the majority of homes have some type of gas appliance, so Gas Safe has compiled a short list of tips to help ensure you stay safe.

1. Get an annual gas safety check - Get a Gas Safe registered engineer to check all gas appliances in your property once a year. They’ll also do a visual inspection of your gas pipework and a tightness test to confirm there aren’t any gas leaks. If you’re a tenant renting a property, make sure your landlord arranges a gas safety check.
2. Find a Gas Safe registered engineer - You can use the Gas safe online search or call 0800 408 5500 to find a registered engineer in your area.
3. Check your engineer’s Gas Safe ID card - You’ll want to check the front and back - this is how you’ll know they’re qualified to do the gas work they’ll be carrying out.
4. Look out for gas appliance warning signs - If your appliance isn’t working as it should be, there are certain signs to look out for like floppy yellow flames, extra condensation and black marks around the appliance.
5. Know the signs of CO poisoning - You’ll want to look out for headaches, dizziness, nausea, and breathlessness. More severe symptoms are collapse and loss of consciousness.
6. Buy an audible CO alarm marked EN 50291 - Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing the alarm, so if a CO leak occurs, you’ll be alerted to it.
7. Ensure adequate ventilation - This is essential for gas appliances to burn properly. You’ll want to make sure that no air vents or chimneys are blocked.
8. Only use gas appliances for their intended purpose - Don’t use an appliance for something it wasn’t meant for - for example, using a cooker to heat a room.

 

Gas Safe Register

Working with gas can be dangerous, so it’s crucial that you never try to fix, fit or move appliances like your boiler or cooker yourself. Badly fitted or poorly maintained gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning; it just isn’t worth the risk.

By law, anyone carrying out work on gas appliances and fittings as part of their business must be competent and registered with Gas Safe. That’s why you should only ever use a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out gas work in your home.

Visit gassaferegister.co.uk for more information about Gas Safe and to find a Gas Safe engineer.

 

Domestic Gas Heathy and Safety

The Health and Safety Executive website contains information gas consumers need to know in order to manage gas appliances / equipment safely and tells you what to do in an emergency, including information for:

• Home owners
• Landlords and Letting agencies
• Tenants
• Students

Visit the Health and Safety Executive website for more information about Domestic gas health and safety.

 

Gas Safety for landlords, tenants and students

When you move into a rented property, your landlord must provide you with a Landlord’s Gas Safety Record. Unchecked and badly maintained gas appliances pose a potentially lethal risk to your safety and health due to risk of fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.  As a tenant, it’s important that you understand what your landlord is responsible for. 

Visit the Gas Safe website for more information about Landlord Gas Responsibilities, Tenant Gas Safety and Information for students.

 

Gas appliances in bedrooms

Since 31 October 1998, any room converted to use as sleeping accommodation should not contain the following types of gas appliances:

• A gas fire, gas space heater or a gas water heater (including a gas boiler) over 14 kilowatts gross input unless it is room sealed.
• A gas fire, gas space heater, or a gas water heater (including a gas boiler) of 14 kilowatts gross input or less or any instantaneous water heater unless it is room sealed or has an atmosphere-sensing device.

If you are unsure of the safety of any gas appliance you should get a Gas Safe registered engineer to check it for you.

Visit the Health and Safety Executive website for more information about Domestic gas health and safety.