Fire Safety

Fire is swift, often stealthy, sometimes deadly. Nearly 500 people die in house fires each year in the UK alone, and there are around 60,000 accidental blazes. Chip-pan fires are on the increase, as are fires started by candles and aromatherapy oil burners. Even a small fire can be highly destructive, as well as leaving a trail of smoke damage. As precautions against fire, equip your home with smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, make an action plan in case of fire, and get into the habit of making some basic checks before you go to bed.

Fitting Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are essential, since without them there is little chance of escaping a fire that starts when you are asleep. Ionization alarms are the cheapest type and detect flaming fires before the smoke gets too thick. Optical alarms cost more and are better at detecting slow-burning fires, such as those caused by smouldering upholstery. Either type can be powered by battery or mains, and some models can be connected so that fire detected in one spot raises the alarm throughout the house.

Where to fit

• In a single-floor home, fit a minimum of one alarm (preferably optical) in the area between bedrooms and living rooms.
• To protect two or more floors, fit one alarm at the foot of the stairs and another on each landing. For the best protection, use both ionization and optical alarms, and if possible connect them. If you use just one alarm, site it where the noise will be heard through-out the house even when you are asleep, such as at the top of the stairs.
• Don't put smoke alarms in the kitchen, bathroom, or garage.

Mount as close to the centre of the ceiling as possible, a minimum of 30 cm (12 in) from walls and lights.

Maintenance

• Keep the casing clean.
• Test batteries monthly. Fit new ones annually.
• If cooking fumes trigger false alarms, don't remove the battery. Reposition the alarm where cooking fumes won't trigger it, or fit a silencer attachment, which allows you to turn off nuisance alarms without disabling the alarm permanently.

Buying Fire Extinguishers

There are four main kinds of fire extinguisher, which are typically colour coded (however, not always) as follows:

Red

These are water extinguishers, the most commonly used type, but are suitable only for fires of ordinary solid materials such as wood, paper, some plastics, and textiles. Do not use around electrical equipment or on chip-pan fires.

Black

These carbon dioxide extinguishers will tackle fires of flammable liquids, such as oil, petrol, and paint, but not chip-pan fires. They need to be used at close range, and work by starving the fire of oxygen. They can be used for fires involving electrical equipment.

Blue

These dry powder extinguishers are effective on fires involving paper, wood, and plastics and for liquids containing grease and paint, but should never be used on pans containing fat, including chip pans.

Cream

These foam extinguishers are not recommended for home use.

Using Fire Extinguishers

• Keep at least one 0.45 kg (1 lb) dry powder extinguisher on each floor of your home. Place in the hallway, on landings, in the kitchen, and in the garage.
• Mount extinguishers securely near likely sources of fire, though don't put them near radiators or cookers.
• Make sure extinguishers are clearly visible and easily accessible.
• Make sure everyone in the household knows how to operate extinguishers.
• Replace an extinguisher after use or when the five-year guarantee expires.

Fire Blankets

In addition, fire blankets are useful for tackling a chip-pan fire in its early stages, providing you can cover the pan entirely and without hurting yourself, and for wrapping round someone whose clothes are on fire.