Fires can happen in any home, but did you know that you’re around eight times more likely to die in a fire if you do not have a working smoke alarm? Our homes contain many potential hazards that parents need to consider every day. Around half of home fires in the UK are caused by cooking accidents. Two fires a day are started by candles. Every six days, someone dies from a fire caused by a cigarette. About three fires a day are started by heaters. Faulty electrics (appliances, wiring, and overloaded sockets) cause around 4,000 fires in homes across the country every year. None of us want to picture a fire breaking out, but knowing your own home’s hazards could save lives as well as expensive property damage. So, let’s get started.

Your Top Priority: A Fire Alarm System

Look out for the British Standard Kitemark and Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) symbols, which show the alarm is approved and safe. Fit at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home. It is best practice to fit one in every room in the house (especially if you smoke or use candles). Our expert recommends a heat detector in the kitchen, at least one on the landing outside the bedrooms (if your bedrooms are over 2 floors, then 1 per floor), and one near any electrical cupboards or where you keep lots of electrical items.

Smoke alarms are easy to install because of their design.
You can buy them from DIY stores, electrical shops,and most supermarkets.
10 year sealed-battery smoke alarms are the best option. They may be more expensive, but they will work out cheaper over time as you don't need to replace the batteries.
Your local fire station will be happy to visit you and give you advice about alarms and where to put them, and in most cases, the fire station will do this for you.

Alarms are extremely important, but remember: they do not prevent fires; they react to them, and children can sleep through fire alarms.

How to make sure your smoke alarms work

Test your smoke alarms monthly. Setting a calendar alarm for this task can help.

If any of your smoke alarms have a one-year battery, make sure it is changed every year. Only take the battery out when you need to replace it.
Never disconnect or take the batteries out of your alarm if it goes off by mistake.
Standard battery-operated alarms are the cheapest option, but the batteries need to be replaced every year.
A lot of people forget to test the batteries, so longer-life batteries are better. Mains-powered alarms are powered by your home power supply and have a backup battery in case of a power cut. They need to be installed by a qualified electrician, and, like battery alarms, they do require testing.
Testing smoke alarms tests the smoke sensor as well as the power supply and/or battery.
You can even have linked alarms installed so that when one alarm detects a fire, they all go off together. This is useful if you live in a large house or on several levels.
Strobe lights and vibrating pad alarms are available for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Fitting your smoke alarms

The ideal position is on the ceiling, in the middle of a room, and in the hallway and landing, so you can hear an alarm throughout your home.

Don’t put alarms in or near kitchens or bathrooms where smoke or steam can set them off by accident.
If it is difficult for you to install smoke alarms yourself, contact your local fire and rescue service for help. They’ll be happy to install them for you.

Common examples of risky rooms that need alarms include:

Wherever electrical equipment is left on or charging,.
Wherever you use candles (of any variety and in any holder), incense sticks, oil lamps, or naked flames, including real fireplaces,.
Rooms where someone smokes
Anywhere you keep portable heaters (which could be in any room they’re dragged into),.

Electrical Safety First, the UK’s leading charity on electrical safety, runs campaigns on product recall and registration, electrical DIY, and counterfeit electrical goods. Their website is a great research tool for those uncertain that their electrical products are the safest choices for the home and family. They also provide guidance on how to use electricity safely.

Please continue to Part Two for more information on making your home fire-safe.

Episode 1.1 How can I identify and mitigate fire risks in my home?

How can you ensure your home is fire-safe? Unii looks at key areas.