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A guide to fire safety in thatched dwellings

Many fires could be prevented if simple precautions were taken.
 
Thatch fires are not common, with good safety precautions a thatched home is no more likely to catch fire than any other property, but the potential for fire damage is so much greater, and the results can be devastating.
 
A thatched roof is vulnerable to fire. Once a fire has taken hold in the thatch it can spread rapidly and must be extinguished by the us because thatch is designed to repel water making extinguishing fires difficult.
  • Install smoke alarms throughout the home, including one in the roof space that is linked to the others, and test them regularly.
  • Make an escape plan for your home and make sure all your family and anyone else staying in your home know it, especially if any children or older persons live with you. The best escape route is your usual way out; but your plan should take into account that the normal way out may be blocked by the fire.
  • Keep escape routes clear.
  • Write a list of your valuables and their location – in the event of a fire it could aid the recovery of your home’s contents.
  • Have your chimney swept regularly.
  • Always burn well seasoned hard wood, never wet wood. Burning unseasoned wood can create high levels of creosote and tar, both of which will intensify a fire.
  • Keep a note by your telephone of your address, any helpful landmarks and, if especially remote, your 6 figure Ordnance Survey map reference.
  • If your property is off the highway send someone to the junction with the public road to direct fire crews. Ensure the access to your property is wide and free from overhead obstructions to allow a fire engine to get close to the property.
  • If you have access to a hose-pipe, and it is safe to do so, spray the roof to keep the thatch damp until the fire and rescue service arrive. DO NOT try and tackle the fire.
 
All thatched homes are eligible for a free Home Safety Check, please call freephone
0800 038 2323, and state you live in a thatched property or click here to fill in your details
 
For more general information look at the website of the Thatch Advice Centre
For further reading click on the guide leaflets below.