Household fire safety

Have your chimney swept

Have your chimney swept at the beginning of each winter and make sure you have a metal bin for taking away ashes.

Back to top

Turn your electric blanket off

Always turn your electric blanket off before you get into bed.

Back to top

Remember the heater-metre rule

Remember the heater-metre rule. Keep furniture, clothing, curtains and toys a metre from heaters and fireplaces.

Back to top

Check your hair straighteners

Always check that hair straighteners have been turned off before leaving them – some models heat up to over 200°C.

Back to top

Untangle appliance cords

Untangle appliance cords and make sure they’re not frayed.

Back to top

Turn off electrical appliances

Turn off all non-essential electrical appliances at the wall before you go to bed or to work.

Back to top

Keep looking when you’re cooking

Keep looking when you’re cooking.  This is especially important when frying, as a pan of oil can ignite and cause major damage in under a minute. Late night fry-ups can be particularly dangerous.

Back to top

Don't overload multi-boards

Back to top

Get a fire extinguisher

Get a fire extinguisher and learn how to use it.  If you already have one, make sure that you check it each year to see that it is in good working order. Again, it helps to do this when you change your clocks for daylight saving.

Back to top

Install smoke alarms

If you haven’t got smoke alarms, buy some today and install them immediately. The Fire Service recommends photoelectric smoke alarms.  And test your smoke alarms regularly to make sure they still operate effectively. Remind yourself to do this when you change your clocks for daylight saving.

Back to top