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Fire brigades all over the UK are advising that, during these uncertain and unprecedented times, people shouldn’t forget about basic fire safety in the home.  With increased numbers of people spending time indoors for longer periods of time, including those having to work from home, there is a heightened risk of fire.

It’s not only  important to keep you and your family safe but should also be mindful about adding extra pressure on the NHS and other emergency services who are already facing huge challenges.

Simple Measures to Keep Fire Safe

“There are such simple things we can all do to ensure we are keeping safe while we are all spending more time at home,” explains Victoria Hartson, the MD of Hartson Fire.

 “The first and most essential measure you can take is to check that all smoke alarms are working.  Cooking fires are one of the most common causes of house fires and it’s easy to become distracted when the children are going stir crazy around you.   Smokers should also try to be more vigilant, particularly if you find that, as you are staying in, then you are smoking indoors more too.

“What’s more, as people spend more time at home, there is also the likelihood of higher heating and electricity bills.  So, don’t be tempted to resort to unsafe ways of heating the home to save a few pounds.  The risk simply isn’t worth it.”

“All we’re suggesting is that people take just a few minutes to check that they and their families are safe and not at risk from an unexpected fire in the home.”

Fire Safety Tips for Home Working

As mentioned, more people are now being advised to work from home when they can but this too comes with fire safety hazards.  These include overloading plug sockets or using the wrong chargers for tablets, laptops and mobile phones.

If you’re working from home (or just staying in to be safe), check out these guidelines from our supplier, Checkfire:

• Keep an eye on your electrical equipment – check for wires that are loose or broken and look out for hot plugs or those with dark marks.
• Don’t overload sockets. Take every step to reduce the chance of ignition where electrics are concerned – this is still a common cause for fires in the UK.
• Candles should be placed in a holder and kept away from anything that might burn – curtains or carpets, for example.
• Always make sure there’s nothing blocking any doors or windows and that keys are readily available.
• Smoking breaks should be treated as they would in any normal work environment – they should take place outdoors and cigarettes should be disposed of safely.

KEEP SAFE, KEEP FIRE SAFE – THE TEAM AT HARTSON FIRE