Fire Safety
Make and print-out a Fire Action Plan for your home with our interactive Fire Action Planner.
Smoking
In 2005, 56% of fires in which someone died were started by smokers' materials!
Reducing the risks is easy - read on to find out how.
- Put it out - Right out!
- Ashtrays
- Alcohol & Sleepiness
- Safer Furniture
- Matches & Lighters
- Further Information
Put it out - right out!
Cigarette ends can smoulder for ages:
- stub out properly in an ashtray - make sure there's no smoke
- never leave a cigarette, cigar or pipe unattended
- don't balance cigars or cigarettes on the edge of an ashtray or other surface - they can tip and fall as they burn away
- pour water on cigar and cigarette ends before putting in a bin
- never empty a pipe into a bin - the ember can still be very hot even it's not smoking
Ashtrays
Using a proper ashtray is a good first step to reducing fire risks from smoking:
- empty and clean them regularly
- douse with water before putting the contents in the bin
- empty into a metal bin outside if possible
- keep ashtrays free of paper, wrappers and other rubbish that could catch light
Alcohol & Sleepiness
Many fires started by smokers materials also involve alcohol, often late at night when we're naturally sleepy.
- take extra care if you've been drinking
- never, ever smoke in bed
- don't smoke in your chair if you've been drinking or you're feeling sleepy
- if you do feel sleepy, smoke outside, standing up or at a window or outside door
Safer Furniture
Your favourite chair could be a death-trap! Older soft furniture catches light more easily and is
often filled with foam that burns to produce choking, poisonous fumes.
- check furniture labels for fire resistance information - if there's no label, assume it's not fire resistant
- furniture made before 1988 is unlikely to be fire-resistant
- consider replacing older items or having them re-upholstered
- coverings on furniture help increase fire-resistance - replace worn or frayed covers
Matches & Lighters
Every match and lighter is a fire starter! Make sure they only start the ones you want:
- keep matches and lighters out of reach of children
- keep matches and lighters well away from heat sources
- teach children not to play with matches and lighters
- teach children to hand any matches or lighters they find to a responsible adult
- buy safety matches (ones that only strike on the box)
- buy lighters with safety locks and that go out when you let go of them
- make sure every match is out before you put it down
- make sure lighters are properly out before putting them down
- don't throw used matches straight in the bin
- put used matches in an ashtray or a metal or ceramic plate and empty it regularly
- get a flameless 'spark' lighter to light gas stoves and heaters with
Further Information
For further information and advice on home fire safety, contact your local community fire and rescue service.
You can also download the following information leaflets:
