Archive Website of the UK government

Fit a smoke alarm and test it regularly

• fit smoke alarms on each level of your home – it’s the simplest step you can take to cut the risk of dying as a result of a fire in your home
• test the batteries in your smoke alarm every week and change them every year - never remove them apart from when replacing them

• Find out more about fitting and testing smoke alarms

Take care when cooking

• more than half of accidental fires in the home start because of something to do with cooking
• take extra care when cooking with hot oil and don’t leave children alone in the kitchen when the hob or oven is on

• Get more advice about cooking safely

Plan an escape route and make a bedtime check

• plan a route to escape your home if there is a fire and make sure everyone in the house knows the plan
• if there’s a fire, don’t tackle it yourself – get out, stay out and call 999
• check for fire hazards in your home before you go to bed - it takes longer to become aware of a fire when asleep
• see ‘Planning a safe escape’ for more information about bedtime checks and making an escape plan

• Planning a safe escape

Don't overload sockets

• try to keep to one plug per socket - too many electrical appliances plugged into one socket can overload it, which can lead to overheating
• electrical appliances, plugs and cables that are old or poorly wired can also be a real danger

• More about electrical appliance fire safety

• Electric blankets and heaters - safe use

Cigarettes – put them out, right out

• more people die in fires caused by smoking products than in fires caused by anything else
• always stub cigarettes out properly and dispose of them carefully
• see ‘Smoking safety’ for tips to avoid causing a fire if you smoke

• Smoking safety

Use candles carefully

• candles, decorative lights and decorations are a growing cause of fires
• make sure candles are secured in a stable holder and kept away from curtains, fabrics and paper
• always put candles out when you are leaving the room or going to bed

• More about using candles, decorative lights and decorations

Home visits from your local fire and rescue service

• some fire and rescue services offer a free home fire safety visit to people living in their area
• they will inspect your home to help you spot any potential fire hazards and show you what to do to reduce or prevent the risk of fire
• they can also help you to develop an escape plan for your property

• Find your local fire and rescue service Opens new window

• The UK Fire and Rescue Service

Home insurance and fires

Home insurance can help you after a fire – for example, by replacing belongings that were destroyed in the blaze.

If you are on a low income and can’t afford adequate insurance, you may qualify for a Community Grant. A Community Grant helps people to live independently in the community and helps to ease exceptional family pressures.

If you have children or other vulnerable people in your family, you can get help from social services. Contact your local council's social services department. Your council may also provide contact details for a broker they feel provides a low cost service for those on a low income.

• Community Care Grants (money, tax and benefits section)

• Find your local council Opens new window

More useful links

• Gas safety at home

• Keeping children safe from burns and scalds (parents section)

• Fire safety advice for parents and child carers (parents section)

• Fire Kills - you can prevent it Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Home and community contacts