The vast majority of fires in the home result from everyday activities. In this article, we’ll discuss how to keep fire from disrupting your family’s life.

Fire detectors and alarms are extremely important, but remember: they do not prevent fires; they react to them. There are far more fires in the home than in the workplace. This is down to control and compliance. There are laws that dictate which fire safety systems you need in the workplace, how to store flammable materials, and even how much combustible material you are allowed in a building. There are no laws at home. For example, where do you keep your cleaning products at home? Under the sink? And where's the biggest risk of fires in the home? The kitchen. You are probably storing potentially flammable materials in the worst place possible.

So, what can we do to prevent fires in the home?

Cooking

Kitchen fires are the most common in the home. Still, it’s easy to enjoy cooking safely with some thought and care.

One of the best ways to alert your family to a fire efficiently is to install the right alarm. A heat alarm is best for the kitchen because it will only go off when it detects a rapid increase in temperature. The last thing you want as a parent is to ruin the baby's sleep schedule over a bit of burnt toast! You can buy them for under £10 online and at DIY shops. Options include a battery-powered heat alarm you can fit yourself and a hard-wired heat alarm. The latter would need to be fitted by an electrician but could be linked to a telecare system for added peace of mind.

Abandoned cooking is a leading cause of fire. Never leave an active hob or grill unattended, especially when children are in your home. If you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the heat.

If you're very tired, have been drinking alcohol, or are taking medication that might make you drowsy, it's safer not to risk cooking.

Loose clothing can easily catch fire, so tuck in everything you can while cooking. Take care not to lean over a hot hob, and always keep tea towels and clothes away from it.

It’s a chore, yet it's so important to keep the oven, hob, cooker hood, extractor fan, and grill clean. Built-up fat and grease can ignite and cause a fire.

Double-check that the cooker and hob are turned off when you’ve finished cooking.

Check that toasters are clean and not placed under kitchen cabinets or close to anything that can catch fire.

Never put anything metal in the microwave.

Always keep an eye on children and pets in the kitchen: don't leave them unsupervised; put matches and lighters away; and keep saucepan handles out of reach.

What should I do if my clothes catch fire while I’m cooking?

If your clothes have caught fire, don’t run or spin around trying to put them out. Try to stay calm and remember 'stop, drop, roll', which means:

Stop; don’t run; you’ll make the flames worse.

Drop—lie down on the ground at once.

Roll in heavy fabric or a fire blanket to smother the flames, though just lying on the ground will help.

Technology is your friend.

Technological advances mean there’s now a wide range of tools available to make your kitchen safer. From timers that switch off a hob automatically to cooker guards, these aids can be especially helpful for family members who have difficulties with their memory, mobility, vision, or hearing.

Remember, it’s never safe to use any type of outdoor cooking equipment, like a BBQ or camping stove, indoors. They’re a huge risk for both fire and deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

Induction cookers are preferred by some families aiming to stay fire-safe, as they work by heating the pan directly rather than heating the hob. The energy from induction cookertops is only activated by the iron in the cookware, so the pot or pan heats up rather than the surface. It’s even safe to touch. However, this cooktop's power cord is not a fire-resistant cable. It can be ignited and can be easily damaged by fire, so please be vigilant even with the safer sort of cooktop.

Staying warm with heaters

Electrical heaters can be a great way to keep warm, especially if you have multiple generations of your family under the same roof and only want to warm some parts of the house. Like all electrical goods, they come with responsibilities. Unfortunately, fatal electrical fires often involve heaters.

Why are heaters such a concern?

Fires typically start when bedding, blankets, or clothes are placed too close to heaters.

People with mobility issues are especially at risk of tripping or falling onto a heater. Placing them at a safe distance from elderly or chronically ill relatives is vital.

Some kinds of heaters also present a carbon monoxide risk, which can be fatal. It can make anyone drowsy, reduce their ability to escape, or raise the alarm about a fire in a timely manner. That's why it's so important to always fit a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with solid fuel, gas, or paraffin heaters.

How can I use heaters safely?

Make sure they are well maintained and in good working order.
Try not to purchase heaters secondhand.
Check that your heater isn't on a recall list. Unfortunately, the London Fire Brigade reports that there have been many UK fires connected to heaters that have been recalled.
Never install, repair, or service appliances yourself or by any non-professional. Make sure anyone who does is registered with the Gas Safe Register (for gas appliances), the Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme (HETAS) (for solid fuel appliances), or the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) (for oil appliances).
Don't take risks with old heaters; if it's electrical and getting older, get it tested by a qualified electrician or buy a new one.
Where appropriate, secure heaters against a wall to stop them from 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 the light on your clothes or chair.
Before attempting to move your heater, turn it off and allow it to cool first.

Gas fires and biofuel heaters

Gas heater cylinders should be changed in the open air; if you have to change them indoors, make sure all rooms are ventilated and open the windows and doors.
Store spare propane or oxygen cylinders upright and outside whenever possible. Never store them in basements, under stairs, or in cupboards containing electric metres or equipment.
Ensure that empty cylinders are collected regularly.
Fireboxes and containers should always be placed on a stable surface. When using biofuel, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions.
Don’t overstock fuels of any type, including paraffin or biofuel, and store them safely.
Never add fuel to a burning fire or refill a firebox fuel container that is still hot.

Using other electrical devices safely

From overloaded extension leads and budget chargers to white goods not fit for purpose, issues with electrical items are a common cause of fire. So how can you reduce fire risks and keep yourself and your family safe?

Always make sure electrical appliances have a British or European safety mark when you buy them.
Keep electrical appliances clean and in good working order.
Don't buy cheap counterfeit chargers for items that use lithium batteries, and never leave phones or laptops plugged in to charge overnight. Learn more about charger safety here.
Empty fluff regularly from tumble dryers in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Hair straighteners can get extremely hot; always switch them off and leave them to cool on a heat-proof surface.
Try to keep one plug per socket, especially for high-powered appliances like washing machines.
Always check that you’re using the right fuse; if you're confused, check out our guide to fuses.
Be lead safety savvy; cable drum extension leads should always be completely unwound to avoid overheating, and be careful not to overload extension leads.
Register your white goods; it could save your life if a product is recalled for safety reasons.
Share your fire safety knowledge with the whole family—check the kids' chargers and make sure everyone knows how to use electric blankets safely.

Relaxing with candles

We love our candles year-round, whether they’re creating a festive atmosphere, killing bad smells, or brightening a birthday cake. Increasingly, they’re luxury items you may have received as a gift, and they also have important religious resonance for people of multiple faiths. No matter what your reason for getting them out, however, they bring fire into your home and need to be treated with care.

How can I use candles safely at home?

It's safer to use battery-operated candles, but if you're using wax candles to brighten up your home, follow our safety advice:

Keep clothes and hair away from the naked flame.

Always use a suitable holder when burning candles.

Keep candles out of reach of children and away from pets.

Consider installing an extra smoke alarm in the rooms where you use candles.

Extinguish candles before moving them, and don't let anything fall into the hot wax.

Extinguish candles before you leave a room, and never go to sleep with a candle still burning.

Use a snuffer or a spoon to put them out. Blowing them can send sparks and hot wax flying.

Don't put them under your shelves; make sure there's at least one metre (three feet) between a candle and any surface above it.

Put them on a heat-resistant surface, and be especially careful with night lights and tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic.

Scented candles turn to liquid in order to release their fragrance, so always burn them in a suitable glass or metal container that can withstand the heat of the liquid.

There have been occasions when candles in glasses and jars have shattered without warning when the level of wax in the jar falls to the base of the jar. This is due to less heat energy being absorbed by the remaining wax, resulting in the glass heating up excessively to the point where it may crack or shatter with force. Users are advised to continually supervise all candles and extinguish the candle when the level of wax reduces close to the base of a jar, say to 1 or 1.5 cm. Even once the candle is out, never pick up a hot jar that has contained a burning candle until it has cooled sufficiently to be able to do so.

Tealight candles should never be used without an appropriate base. They can have the capacity to burn through surfaces, including televisions.

What are some good habits that help prevent fires at home?

What home-fire safety tips should you follow?