Check your home - What to check for

                                          Throughout your home - In the Kitchen - In the Living Room - In the bedroom

Throughout Your Home

It's worth walking into every room of your house specifically to check for fire risks. If you go looking for dangers, you might be surprised by how many you find.


   Overloaded plugs
Fit one plug per socket unless you use a bar adapter on a lead. Don't plug appliances into the adapter that use more than 13 amps of current altogether. See electrics for more information.

   Electric cables
Check for worn or taped up cables or leads. These can be dangerous so you should replace them. Don't put cables under carpets or mats where they can become worn.

LIVING ROOM FIRES Every year 200 people die and 2,000 people are injured in fires that start in the living room.

   Dangerous wiring
Watch out for hot plugs and sockets, fuses that blow for no obvious reason, flickering lights, scorch marks on sockets or plugs. They're all signs of loose wiring or other problems.


   Lights
Make sure lights aren't positioned near curtains and other materials that could burn.


   Is your upholstered furniture fire-resistant?
If your upholstered furniture was made before 1988 then it's not fire-resistant, it can be set alight easily and it will produce clouds of poisonous smoke. Make sure you check the label to be sure.


  Has your chimney been swept?
If you have an open fire, make sure you sweep your chimney once a year.

  Ashtrays
If someone smokes in your house, use proper ashtrays and make sure they can't be knocked over easily. Avoid a build-up of ash, butts and used matches. Wet the contents of the ashtray before putting it in the bin.



  Inflammables
Don't keep inflammable materials, like solvents (such as some glues or aerosols) or paraffin, in direct sunlight or near a heat source. If you're using something inflammable, make sure the room is well ventilated, and don't light a flame nearby.


  Gas fires and carbon monoxide poisoning
Each year, around 7 people die from gas-related fires or explosions and about 30 people die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained. Many others suffer ill health. The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) website contains information gas consumers need to know in order to manage gas appliances/equipment safely and tells them what to do in an emergency (www.hse.gov.uk/gas/index.htm). It provides advice for landlords, and letting agents on how to comply with the law. HSE also has a gas safety advice line on 0800 300 363, and downloadable leaflets in 13 languages at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/gasindex.htm.



In The Kitchen


   Make sure electrical leads don't trail over or go near the cooker.


   Don't hang tea towels or cloths on or over the cooker


   Keep the oven, hob and grill clean. A build-up of fat and bits of food can start a fire


   Is the kettle leaking? This can be dangerous


   Check the toaster is clean and well away from curtains


   Electrical appliances - especially those that work at high speeds, such as the washing machine - should be serviced each year.


   Don't let cables or plugs get wet. Keep liquids away from electrical appliances.


   Make sure your ventilation is working properly and not blocked up, especially if you have a gas cooker.




In the Living Room


   Make sure any portable heater is positioned safely, preferably by a wall and facing in to the room. Keep it away from furniture or soft furnishings, and don't use it to dry clothes.


   Has the chimney been swept? If you have an open fire, the chimney should be swept each year.


   Check your furniture is fire-resistant. If it was made before 1988 then it's not fire-resistant, it can be set alight easily and it will produce clouds of poisonous smoke. Fire resistant furniture will have a permanent label so you can check to be sure.


   Is there are mirror over the fire or heater? It's a dangerous position, because people looking closely at themselves in the mirror can set their clothing alight


  Make sure your ventilation is working properly and not blocked up, especially if you have a gas fire




In the Bedroom


  Don't use candles as nightlights


  Check your electric blanket and its flex for fraying, scorch marks, dampness and loose connections. Make sure it's not creased or folded as that can damage the internal wiring and cause overheating. Check it has an overheat protector, which will cut out the power if it overheats. Electric blankets should be replaced after 10 years, and you can have it tested for free.


  Make sure any portable heater is positioned safely, preferably by a wall and facing the room. Keep it away from furniture or soft furnishings.