Fire Safety Tips

Living by yourself for the first time, moving in with new housemates or starting a new career in a different city can be a busy and overwhelming time. Enjoying new life experiences, making new friends and setting up a home is an exciting time, but also comes with newfound responsibilities. Amidst the excitement, it is important to be aware of a few basic fire safety tips, which could help prevent damage to your home or even a fire.
• Be sure to familiarise yourself with the fire equipment in your home. Be aware if there are sprinklers fitted, the position of the fire alarms, the location of any fire extinguishers and fire blankets and know where all the exits are in the building to plan an escape route if required.
• Never leave cooking unattended on hobs and in ovens and be aware of what you put in microwaves. Never put tins or foils in the microwave. If you have been drinking alcohol don’t begin cooking!
• Whilst they do create a lovely atmosphere, candles are a frequent cause of fires. Don’t light candles, use battery operated ones or reed diffusers instead.
• Make sure you switch off electrical appliances when not in use, this is particularly important for items such as hair dryers and hair straighteners which can overheat and ensure you leave them on a hard surface to cool. Similarly, chargers should be turned off and unplugged when not in use.
• Don’t overload plugs and extension cords or run them into bathrooms or near water.
• Smoking is not permitted within properties. Don’t smoke indoors, only use outdoor designated smoking areas.
• Be sure to regularly test your smoke alarm, do not remove the batteries and report any faults showing on centrally wired ones immediately. If you hear the fire alarm, be sure to exit the building safely, don’t just ignore it and assume it’s another false alarm!