• Keep the grill, pans and oven clean from grease and fat which can catch fire.
• Keep the area around the cooker clean and clear of towels, leads etc which could catch fire.
• Keep toasters clean.
• Keep microwaves clean.
• Never put metal in a microwave.
Electricity: Electricity is used throughout our homes – but appliances, plugs and cables that are old or poorly wired can be a real danger. Just because there is no flame, doesn’t mean there is no fire risk.
• do not overload electrical sockets
• switch off and unplug when not in use
• ask an adult to check wiring
• make sure electrical items which can get hot are not left on or near flammable material e.g irons, hair straighteners and laptops.
Candles: Candles are a rising cause of fire. Every year, a growing number of people are killed or injured because they are careless with them
• Candles should never be left in a room without an adult in.
• Candles should always be in a proper candleholder.
• The holder of a ‘night-light’ candle is sold in is not a suitable container.
• Never put a candle on the T.V.
• Never put a candle on the edge of a bath, (some baths are plastic and can catch fire).
• Never put a candle near any material that could catch alight, for example near curtains.
• Never play with a candle, the wax can get very hot and burn you.
• Never leave a candle burning if you are likely to fall asleep.
Smoking Materials: More people die in fires caused by smoking than in fires caused by anything else. Tobacco is manufactured to stay alight, meaning it can remain smouldering and start a fire.
• Some adults smoke, this is bad for you and can make you poorly, never touch smoking materials such as cigarettes, cigars or pipes.
• Never touch matches or lighters.
• Cigarettes, cigars and pipes should always be put out properly in an ashtray.
• If an adult has gone to sleep in your house with a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe, tell another adult or wake them up, it could cause a fire.
• Matches and lighters are tools, which should only be used by adults.
• They should not be played with.
• Matches and lighters are dangerous as they can burn and hurt you and can also set fires which can put people in danger.
• Fires can start very quickly and spread very quickly.
• If you see some matches or lighters leave them alone.
• If a friend has some matches or a lighter, tell them it is dangerous and tell an adult. You will not be in trouble as you could be stopping your friend getting badly hurt.
• If fires are lit where it is not allowed it is illegal. This includes the heathland, grassland, bins etc. When you are over 10 years old you can be arrested and have a criminal record for ‘arson’.
• People who light fires where they shouldn’t are putting other people in danger because the fires can spread and put lives and property in danger. Firefighters have to go and put the fires out which means that they cannot go to other emergencies, putting lives in danger.
Other fire safety advice:
Fire and heaters:
• Fires should have a guard around to stop sparks falling out and to stop people burning themselves.
• Never hang clothes to dry near a fire. (It is ok to put clothes on a radiator to dry.)
• Never sit too close to a fire; a chair should be at least 1.5 metres away from a fire.
• Do not let young children play too close to a fire.
Fireworks:
• Fireworks should only be touched by adults.
• Fireworks should be kept in a safe place such as a metal tin.
• Never go back to a firework which has been lit.
• Put pets indoors as they can get very scared.
• Always wear gloves when using a sparkler.
• Never wave a sparkler near someone.
• Always put a used sparkler in a bucket of sand or water.
Outdoor fires:
• Barbeques should always be looked after by adults.
• Always check if you are allowed a barbeque or campfire.
• Always have a bucket of sand or water near by in case of an emergency.
Smoke alarms and escape plans
You are more than twice as likely to die in a fire at home if you haven't got a smoke alarm. A smoke alarm is the easiest way to alert you to the danger of fire, giving you precious time to escape. They are cheap, easy to get hold of and easy to fit.
Smoke alarms are like ‘noses’ they smell smoke and then beep loudly to warn you. A smoke alarm will not prevent or put out and fire, but it will give you time to get out. You should have at least one working smoke alarm on each floor of your home. The more alarms you have, the safer you'll be. At minimum you should have one on each floor. However, if you have only one alarm and two floors, put it somewhere you’ll be able to hear it when you're asleep.
Smoke alarms need batteries to work, never take the battery out for something else. Some smoke alarms are mains powered, but they still have batteries. The smoke alarms should be tested every week and batteries changed once a year (unless it has 10 year batteries or is a mains operated smoke alarm)
There are special smoke alarms for people with hearing problems, which flash and vibrate to warn them there is a problem.
Planning an escape route is crucial in being prepared for an emergency and can save you valuable time in the event of a fire.
• It is important to have an escape route out of the building.
• Have a second escape route in case the first is blocked.
• Everyone in the home should know the escape plan
• The routes should be kept clear of things which you could trip over such as toys, clothes and so on.
• Always keep keys for doors and windows nearby and where everyone can find them.
• Have a meeting place outside to make sure everyone is safely out of the building
• If there is a fire, get everyone out of the building as soon as possible and call 999.
• Never hide if you hear the smoke alarm, always follow your escape plan.
• If you are trying to get out of the home and there is a door that is shut that you need to get through, always test it with the back of your hand. Never open the door if it is hot as there could be a fire behind it.
• Get out, stay out, call 999
If there is a fire
• Only use fire extinguishers as a means of escape, do not try to tackle a fire.
• Get out, Stay out and Call the Fire and Rescue Service out (999)
Calling for help in an emergency
• In an emergency dial 999 on the telephone.
• This does not cost anything, you do not need money for a call box or credit on a mobile.
• You can ask for: the fire and rescue service, the police, the ambulance or the coastguard.
• Make sure you speak clearly and calmly and listen to what you are asked.
• Make sure you know your address.
• Hoax calls (for children over seven years old (approx)):
• Never call 999 for practice or as a joke.
• This is called a hoax call and is against the law.
• It puts lives in danger as the emergency services will come to help you, and cannot help someone else if they are in trouble.
• People who make hoax calls get into a lot of trouble, they can be arrested and have a criminal record.
• Mobile phone calls can be traced and cut off.
Bed-time routines:
• Always tidy up before bed-time, put toys and clothes away which are blocking your escape route.
• Ask an adult to make sure the doors are shut when they go to bed.
• Unplug any electrical items you do not need left on, such as TVs, games consoles, dvd players and stereos.
• Ask an adult to check the cooker is turned off before they go to bed.
Smoke filled rooms:
• Smoke is dangerous as it can make it hard to breathe and can kill you.
• If you cannot get out, go to a room with a window that will open, (if you can at the front of the home). Close the door and put duvets, towels or clothes against the bottom of the door to stop the smoke coming in. Open the window and shout for help.
• If you need to get out of a room filled with smoke, get low and crawl on the floor. Smoke rises and the air will be fresher nearer the floor.
• If clothes catch fire:
• If clothes catch fire the person should stop, drop and roll.
• Stop – moving around fans the flames and makes them burn faster.
• Drop – to the ground, this makes it harder for the flames to spread.
• Roll – around, move from side to side to smother the flames.
If someone is physically unable to stop, drop and roll, for example someone in a wheelchair, you should try to smother the flames with a thick blanket or coat and call for help as soon as you can.
Road Safety:
• The fire and rescue service are called to help at many road accidents.
• The firefighters can help cut people out of vehicles when they are stuck.
• Always wear a seatbelt, even for a small journey, as it can help stop you getting badly hurt. The firefighters can help cut you out.
• If you are under 12 and under 135cm tall you should always use a booster seat or booster cushion to make sure your seatbelt works properly.
• If you travel to school on a bus, make sure you do not disturb the driver by messing around. Always sit down properly where you can.
