House fires devastate lives, so it is important that we all take steps to avoid potential fire risks around our homes.
Nobody ever thinks it will happen to them, but with over 200,000 house fires each year in the UK alone, there is every possibility that your home could be next. We’ve rounded up some of the key causes of house fires, complete with tips on how to avoid them, so you can make your home safer right away.
1.) Cooking appliances
It’s probably no surprise that kitchens are literal hotbeds for fire hazards. Hot oils, hot appliances, lots of electricity (and all mixed with water) can be a deadly combination. Be careful to not wear loose clothing when cooking, as it can catch fire really easily. Also remember to double-check you’ve switched off all appliances when you’re not using them. Never leave young children alone in a kitchen.
2.) Smoking materials
Cigarettes, cigars, tobacco or, more recently, e-cigarettes, pose a real danger and are the root cause of many fires. Ensure traditional tobacco items are completely stubbed out, or perhaps choose to only smoke outside. Use ashtrays made of fire-resistant material such as metal or glass. Don’t leave e-cigarettes plugged in for longer than two hours and NEVER overnight.
3.) The magnifying effect
This is one we could all easily be guilty of. Leaving an empty glass on a window sill in the sun. Or perhaps glass window charms, ornaments or other decorative wares. Your room quickly becomes like an ant under a magnifying glass. Such a setup has been known to literally melt and burn through thousands of PVC window sills, and is the unsuspecting reason behind many house fires. Be sure to regularly check sills are clear of any glassware, especially if you have teenagers in the home!
4.) Candles
They look pretty, make our homes smell wonderful and create a cosy ambience. But left in the wrong hands, candles can have your cosy home up in smoke. Use a snuffer or a spoon to extinguish rather than blowing them out, never leave children or pets unattended around candles and never leave candles burning when you leave the house. Be sure to put candles on a heatproof and sturdy, even surface.
5.) Electrical appliances
Many of us are guilty of going to bed and leaving the TV on standby. Why not save money, power and potentially lives, by switching all electrical appliances off at the wall. Try to avoid using extension leads where possible, and never overload them.
Do you have smoke detectors fitted in your home? They are free from your local fire brigade, who will fit them and provide you with emergency exit routes. It’s definitely a call worth making.
We hope you found this blog useful, and implement some of the practices shown above! Are you protected should the worst happen? Don’t leave it to chance, contact our experts today to ensure your house and possessions are protected in the event of a house fire.
