Fit a smoke alarm

Did you know that you are four times more likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm?

• Check regularly that your smoke alarm(s) work.
  
  
• Fit at least one smoke alarm in your home.
  
  
• Fit the alarm on the ceiling outside the main bedroom door in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
  
  
• Preferably fit one smoke alarm per floor of your home.
  
  
• To help reduce false alarms there are different types of alarms for different areas of your home.
  
  
• For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, there are strobe and vibration smoke alarm systems. Contact Action for Hearing Loss on 0808 808 0123 for more information.

If you would like to receive a FREE Home Fire Risk Check please contact us by ringing 01296 744 477 or emailing cs@bucksfire.gov.uk

After fitting and testing your smoke alarms regularly, here are some fire safety tips which will help you to prevent a fire from starting

Cooking

• Never try to cook while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  
  
• Don't leave pans on the hob when you're not around. Take them off the heat if you have to leave the kitchen.
  
  
• Keep the over, hob, toaster and grill clean - a build-up of fat, crumbs or grease can easily catch fire.
  
  
• Take care if you're wearing loose clothing as it can easily catch fire.
  
  
• Keep electrical leads, tea towels and dishcloths away from the cooker or hob.
  
  
• Angle saucepan handles so they don't stick out from the hob, or over a naked flame.
  
  
• Don't use matches or lighters to light gas cookers - spark devices, which you can buy from hardware stores, are safer.
  
  
• Never leave children alone in the kitchen.
  
  
• Fit a safety catch on the oven door.
  
  
• Don't put anything that is made of metal or is metallic inside the microwave.
  
  
• When you have finished cooking, make sure you switch off the oven and hob.

Chip pans and deep fat fryers

• Around 20 people a year are seriously injured attempting to fight fires in chip pans themselves. Never fill the fryer more than a third full of oil.
  
  
• Never use wet chips in the fryer.
  
  
• Never leave the fryer unattended.
  
  
• Don't let the fryer overheat. If the oil is smoking then it’s too hot.
  
  
• If the pan catches fire, don't throw water on to it - you will only spread the fire and maybe hurt yourself in the process.
  
  
• Don't move the pan.
  
  
• Don't attempt to put the fire out yourself.
  
  
• If safe to do so, turn off the heat. It may be safer to turn off the gas or electricity at the mains isolator.
  
  
• Close the door to the kitchen, and all other doors.
  
  
• Get out, stay out and call 999

Smoking

• Don't smoke if you are tired, have consumed alcohol or taken drugs.
  
  
• Always use a proper ashtray, and never place ashtrays on soft furnishings.
  
  
• Never leave smoking materials unattended.
  
  
• Keep matches and lighters out of children's reach and sight.
  
  
• Never smoke in bed.
  
  
• Ensure all smoking materials are extinguished and disposed of properly at night.
  
  
• Never empty ashtrays into plastic containers. Always use a metal bin.

Open fires, chimneys and heaters

• Have gas fires and boilers serviced at least once a year.
  
  
• Have your chimney swept by a professional at least once a year.
  
  
• Ensure portable gas heaters are properly maintained. Turn off and remove immediately if you have any doubts or if there is a smell of gas.
  
  
• Never cover fan or convector heaters as they will quickly overheat.
  
  
• Never rest clothes or newspapers on the guard or near to the fire.
  
  
• Never place mirrors above open fires.
  
  
• Always use a fireguard in front of your fire.
  
  
• Always used seasoned wood. Fresh cut wood can be dangerous.
  
  
• Only burn fuels that have been designed for your type of fire.
  
  
• Never burn waste on your open fire. 

Candles

• Candles, tealights and nightlights should be in an appropriate holder.
  
  
• Holders should be placed on a flat surface away from furnishings.
  
  
• A clear area of at least 30cm around and 100cm above a candle should be maintained at all times.
  
  
• Candles should never be left in a room unattended.
  
  
• Always extinguish candles before going to bed.
  
  
• Use a candle snuffer to extinguish candles properly.
   
  
• Never leave a match in a tealight or other candle as this could cause the candle to overheat and cause a fire.

Escape plan

• Plan an escape route and make sure everyone knows how to escape.
  
  
• Make sure the exits are kept clear.
  
  
• The best route is the normal way in and out of your home.
  
  
• Think of a second route in case the first one is blocked.
  
  
• Review your plan if the layout of your home changes.
  
  
• Keep door and window keys where everyone can find them.
  
  
• Make children aware of where they should go if they hear the smoke alarm.
  
  
• Practise your escape plan with your family.

Bedtime routine

• Close inside doors at night to stop a fire from spreading.
  
  
• Turn off and unplug electrical appliances unless they are designed to be left on – like your freezer.
  
  
• Check that you cooker is turned off.
  
  
• Don’t leave the washing or dishwashing machine on.
  
  
• Turn heaters off.
  
  
• Make sure you use a fire guard on an open fire.
  
  
• Put candles and cigarettes our properly.
  
  
• Make sure that your exits are kept clear.
  
  
• Keep door and window keys where everyone can find them.
  
  
• Do not smoke in bed.
  
  
• Ensure your children have nightclothes that are non-flammable.
  
  
• If you have a mobile phone, leave it in the bedroom overnight as a fire may cut the supply to any telephone extension you have there.

In the event of a fire

• You will only have a short time to get out - fire and smoke spread very quickly. Stay calm.
  
  
• Remember, fumes from furniture contain poisonous gases and can kill people.
  
  
• Implement your fire plan.
  
  
• If smoke is coming out of the room which is on fire, close the door to prevent it spreading.
  
  
• Before opening a closed door, feel the door using the back of your hand. If it is warm, do not open it because the fire could be on the other side.
  
  
• Get everyone out of the house as quickly as possible - don't waste time by trying to collect valuables or possessions.
  
  
• If it’s smoky, keep as low to the ground as possible to avoid breathing in the smoke and to allow you to see your way out.
  
  
• If you have a phone with you call 999, otherwise shout FIRE, FIRE, FIRE.  Try to alert neighbours and get them to call 999.
  
  
• Do not go back into your home.
  
  
• REMEMBER - GET OUT, STAY OUT, CALL 999