Fire safety tips

Kitchen safety

Accidents while cooking account for more than half of all fires in the home – take extra care in the kitchen.

When cooking with hot oil, a deep fat fryer which is controlled by a thermostat is safest. Always dry food off before frying and if the oil starts smoking, turn off the heat and leave it to cooldown.
Never leave young children alone in the kitchen.
Keep toasters away from curtains and paper towel rolls.
Keep electrical leads and dishcloths away from the stove.
Keep cooking appliances clean as a build-up of grease and fat ignites easily.
Keep a fire blanket in the kitchen to smother small fires.

Avoid overloading electrical sockets. As a general rule, use only one plug per socket.
If using an adaptor, use one with a fuse and keep the total output to no more than 13 amps.
Appliances such as TVs that are left on standby are a fire risk - switch off and unplug all electrical appliances that are not in use.
Don’t put cables under carpets or mats.
Scorch marks or flickering lights are signs of loose wiring or faulty plugs or sockets.
Replace any worn or taped-up cables and leads.
Never fold electric blankets; roll them up when packing them away.
Place heaters away from curtains or furnishings and ensure they cannot fall over.

Never leave lit candles in an empty room or with children with no adult supervision.
Ensure candles are in a secure holder and on a surface that doesn’t burn.
Keep candles away from any flammable materials.

Fit smoke alarms on each floor in your home.
Test the batteries once a week.
Replace the batteries once a year.
To prevent false alarms, keep smoke detectors free of dust and do not install in kitchens or bathrooms where steam could set them off.

Create a fire action plan so everyone in your home knows´how to escape if there is a fire.
Keep the exits from your home clear.
Keep keys to doors in an agreed place so they can be easily found in an emergency.
Choose one place outside where family members should meet.