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Home safety - Somerset Homelet

1. e Parents or guardians have a legal responsibility for any illegal actions carried out by children e People caught making hoax calls can be fined or imprisoned The fire and rescue service can recover costs from responding to hoax calls Fascination with Fire Some children can become dangerously obsessed with fires If you know children who may be lighting fires deliberately you can do something about it e Children can play with fire for reasons other than curiosity for example to get attention or because of peer pressure e Devon amp Somerset Fire and Rescue Service offers a confidential service where a specially trained fire advisor visits you and your child at home to give advice and education For more information contact Firesetters on e firesetters dsfire gov uk t 01392 872315 w www dsfire gov uk Living in a rented home Landlords don t always have a legal responsibility to fit a smoke alarm but under the 2004 Housing Act they must make sure there are adequate escape routes and depending on the size they may have to fit smoke alarms and provide fire extinguishers If you feel that your landlord hasn t kept to the Housing Act or if you need more information about it contact the local Environmental Health Of ficer or Citizens Advice Bureau www dsfire gov uk By law your landlord must VS REGISTER make sure that all gas appliances they provide are maintained in good working
2. alarm e If your smoke alarm starts to beep on a regular basis you need to replace the battery immediately e All alarms should be renewed after a 10 years How to prevent common fires Over half of home fires are caused by cooking accidents Do e keep the oven hob and grill clean and in good working order A build up of fat and grease can catch fire e avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone when cooking on the hob e keep matches and sauce pan handles out of the reach of children to keep them safe e take care if you re wearing loose clothing they can easily catch fire www dsfire gov uk e keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob e use Spark devices to light gas cookers as they are safer than matches and lighters as they don t have a naked flame e double check the cooker is off when you ve finished cooking Don t e don t leave electrical wiring near or on top of the cooker e do not leave cooking unattended e don t leave saucepan handles sticking out this avoids them getting knocked off the stove Deep fat frying e Take care when cooking with hot oil it sets alight easily e Don t fill the pan more than a third full of oil e Make sure food is dry before putting it in hot oil so it doesn t splash e f the oil starts to smoke it s too hot Turn off the heat and leave it to cool e Use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer they c
3. battery in their alarm being flat or missing Smoke Alarms e Smoke alarms are inexpensive and easy to install e They are available from DIY stores electrical shops and most high street supermarkets e There are a variety of different models to choose from Look out for one of these symbols which show the alarm is approved and safe Types of smoke alarms available Alarms that have ten year batteries is the preferred option however alarms which require the battery to be replaced regularly are quite acceptable lonisation alarms are generally more effective at detecting fast flaming fires which consume combustible materials rapidly and spread fire quickly e gpaper flaming curtains oil These are the cheapest and most readily available starting at as little as 5 00 Optical alarms are more effective at detecting slow burning fires e g overheated wiring Optical alarms are less likely to go off accidentally and as such are best for ground floor hallways and for homes on one level Prices start at about 15 00 www dsfire gov uk Strobe light and vibrating pad alarms are available for those who are deaf or hard of hearing Mains powered alarms are powered by your home power supply They need to be installed by a qualified electrician It is possible to have linked alarms installed so that when one alarm detects a fire they all go off together This is useful if you live ina large hou
4. do you know how much oil to use page 9 before you go to sleep page 30 10 Do you know what to do if a pan catches fire page 9 Escape 11 Do you know the correct way to use and store electric blankets page 14 21 Do you have an escape plan page 22 12 Do you know the best place to position a portable heater page 15 22 Do you know what to do if there s a fire page 22 23 13 Do you know about safety checks for gas appliances 23 Do you know what to do if your escape route is blocked _ page 25 ame Cadets Ola 200 TRE page ls 24 Do you know what to do if your clothes catch fire page 26 1 9 YOU RAON MOW Hones MS ety yoat cerca the amu 25 If you live in a high rise building do you know the extra precautions are caused by overloading of sockets Lt page 12 you need to take when making your escape plan page 25 19 Do you know the dangers of smoking in bed or when youre tired page 20 27 If you have or care for children do you know the extra precautions 16 Do you know how many fires are started by candles each day page 21 you need to take to keep them and your home safe page 27 28 17 Do you know how best to position and secure candles page 21 www dsfire gov uk 35 Contact us R 01392 872200 firekills dsfire gov uk 6 www dsfire gov uk To request any information in this document in an alternative format or language please call 0800 731 1822 or email firesafety dsfire gov uk www dsfire gov uk Acting to Protect amp Sa
5. gas oil e feeling tired and confused wood and coal Carbon based fuels are safe to use It is only when the fuel does not burn properly that excess CO is produced which e shortness of breath and difficulty breathing is poisonous e Only burn suitable items in solid fuel burners gt Have chimneys swept regularly e being sick and having stomach pain e Dispose of ash appropriately after you have allowed it to cool completely ee The danger signs e Do not dry or air clothes on a fireguard Poisoning occurs when gas appliances and flues have not been properly installed e Yellow or orange rather than blue flames maintained or are poorly ventilated except fuel effect fires or flueless appliances which display this colour flame e Ensure fires are extinguished before you go to bed The symptoms e Soot or yellow brown staining around or The early symptoms of poisoning can be on appliances easily confused with many common ailments and can develop quickly or over a number or e Pilot lights that frequently blow out days or months ee i e Increased condensation inside windows www dsfire gov uk 17 Take action If you think you have carbon monoxide poisoning you should e seek urgent medical advice from either you GP or your A amp E department e open the windows and doors to ventilate the room and don t sleep in it e switch off all your gas appliances and don t use them again until the problem has b
6. order and that a registered Gas Safe engineer carries out a safety check each year ensure all electrical installations fixed wiring etc and any electrical appliances they provide fridge freezers cookers etc all properly maintained and safe to use ensure any furniture and furnishings they provide meet the fire resistance regulations Make a bedtime check You are more at risk from a fire when asleep So it s a good idea to check your home before you go to bed Check list e close inside doors at night to stop a fire from spreading e turn off and unplug electrical appliances unless they are designed to be left on like your freezer e check your cooker is turned off e don t leave the washing machine on e turn heaters off and put up fireguards e put candles and cigarettes out properly e make sure exits are clear e keep door and window keys where everyone can find them v MAKE A BEDTIME CHECK v Regular checks and maintenance Self Assessment Every day Every 3 years To ensure that you have read and understood all the safety advice contained within make a bedtime check before you go to bed shave yourslecii bianketcheck bye this book please take a few minutes to read the following questions qualified electrician If there are any questions that you are unsure of the answer to please turn Every WEEK to the indicated page to familiarise yourself with the safety advice e test yo
7. AMP AMP AMP AMP www dsfire gov uk Using an electric blanket e Don t leave electric blankets folded as this damages the internal wiring Store them flat or rolled up instead e Never use the blanket if it is wet and never switch it on to dry it out e Unplug blankets before you get into bed unless it has a thermostat control for safe all night use e Don t buy second hand blankets e Check regularly for wear and tear e Have your blanket checked by a qualified electrician at least every three years www dsfire gov uk Portable heaters e Try to secure heaters up against a wall to stop them falling over e Keep them clear from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes e Don t put anything on top of heaters e Do not move a heater while it is switched on e Ensure your appliances are regularly serviced by a qualified engineer e Do not leave young children or pets unattended in areas where portable heaters are switched on Open fires wood burners Carbon Monoxide COQ and multi fuel stoves You can t see it You can t taste it You can t Look out for smell it M lt Always place a fireguard around the fire e a headache this is the most common symptom Do not overfill fire baskets CO is the most common form of household poison j l e feeling sick and dizzy CO gas is produced by incomplete burning of carbon based fuels including
8. AVON SOMERSET Home safety www dsfire gov uk Acting to Protect amp Save Fire safety in the home It is the aim of Devon amp Somerset Fire amp Rescue Service to provide help and advice to prevent fires from occurring The damage caused by fire in the home has devastating consequences and so many incidents we attend can be easily prevented This booklet has been produced to give you guidance and advice on how to ensure your home is protectedfrom fire You can prevent most fires in the home by being aware of the dangers that will help you avoid the risk of a fire starting in your home After reading through this booklet we suggest you complete the check list at the back It will only take a few minutes and the advice and guidance it contains could save your life or that of a family member www dsfire gov uk We will always be there to help in an emergency should your preventative measures fail Remember if a fire breaks out in your home always get out e stay out e call 999 If you rent out your home or use it for Child minding you may need a higher standard of fire safety Please visit our website for further information www dsfire gov uk Protecting your home Statistics show that you re twice as likely to die in a fire if you don t have a smoke alarm that works More people die from the smoke inhalation rather than the fire itself An average of 90 people die each year due to the
9. an t overheat What to do if a pan catches fire e Turn off the heat if it s safe to do so e Never throw water over it e Don t tackle the fire yourself Fire Blankets e Fire blankets are useful to wrap a person whose clothes are on fire e It is recommended that they are kept near or in the kitchen Toasters and microwaves e Check toasters are clean and crumbs emptied out regularly e Ensure toasters are placed away from curtains and kitchen rolls and do not use directly underneath overhanging cupboards e Follow the instructions carefully for use of microwave e Never put anything metal in the microwave www dsfire gov uk Wheat bags Wheat bags are heating pads that usually contain buckwheat or wheatgrass which can be warmed in a microwave Do e only use as a heat pack for direct application to the body e ensure your microwave turntable is working properly watch for signs of overuse such as burning or charring e leave bags to cool in a safe area and on a non combustible surface Completely cool down Don t use a wheat bag as a bed warmer overheat the bag reheat the bag until it has completely cooled this can take up to two hours leave the microwave unattended when heating store the bag until it has completely cooled use the bag if you see evidence of damage Take care with electrics e An extension lead or adaptor will have a limit Lights to how man
10. aters in a safe place both when children are never affected by fire they re being used and when they re being stored Make your home fire safe for children It is e Put plug guards into sockets so children crucial to be aware that children can start can t stick things into the holes a fire in moments but only if they can get hold of materials that can start fire gt Keep your escape route clear of toys and other obstructions e Keep matches and lighters out of reach and out of sight of children e Don t leave children alone in the home e Unplug appliances that children could trip over e Position lighted candles out of reach of children and pets e Puta childproof fire guard in front of an open fire or heater if there are children in the house Teach children about the dangers of fire e You should tell children about how destructive fire can be and how rapidly it can spread Older children may know that fire is dangerous but might not realise how uncontrollable it can become or that breathing toxic smoke can quickly kill you Teach them how to be safe with fire Encourage children to tell you if they find matches or lighters Let them see you being careful about fire risks Older children can take part in safe activities with fire like lighting a bonfire or a candle while supervised by an adult www dsfire gov uk e Hoax calls to the fire and rescue service puts lives in danger
11. cigarette cigar or pipe lying around They can easily fall over and start a fire e Use a proper ashtray never a wastepaper basket e Make sure your ashtray can t tip over and is made of a material that can t burn e Take extra care if you smoke when you re tired taking prescription drugs or if you ve been drinking You might fall asleep and set your bed or sofa on fire www dsfire gov uk e Keep matches and lighters out of children s reaches e Consider buying child resistant lighters and match boxes Put them out Right out Candles Joss sticks and oil incense burners More than 50 fires a day are started by candles e Make sure candles are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire like curtains e Put candles out when you leave the room and make sure they re put out completely at night never leave burning candles unattended e Use a snuffer or a spoon to put out candles It s safer than blowing them out when sparks can fly e Children shouldn t be left alone with lit candles HE LES Tea lights sometimes known as night lights Tea lights present a high risk They have a foil outer container however this is not a suitable holder This foil container can get extremely hot and melt surfaces on which it is placed making it a fire hazard Furniture Always ensure that your furniture has the fire resistant permanent label ne Loo Plan
12. doors you need to go through to reach the stairs e Put bedding around the bottom of the door to block out the smoke then open the A window and gali ear e Check there is nothing in the corridors or stairways that could catch fire like boxes or rubbish e If you re on the ground or first floor you may be able to escape through a window e Use bedding to cushion your fall and lower e Make sure doors to stairways are not locked a a a e Make sure everyone in the building knows e If you can t open the window break the glass where the fire alarms are in the bottom corner Make jagged edges safe with a towel or blanket e You should still get a smoke alarm for your own home even if there is a warning system in the block www dsfire gov uk 25 What to do if your clothes catch fire e Don t run around you ll make the flames worse e Lie down and roll around It makes it harder for the fire to spread e Smother the flames with a heavy material like a coat or blanket e Remember stop drop and roll www dsfire gov uk When Children are in the home e Fires account for nearly half of all e Don t let children play or leave toys near a accidental child deaths fire or heater e 6000 fires a year are caused by e Put child locks on cupboards that have anything children under the age of 10 in them that children could use to start a fire Find out what you can do to make sure your e Keep portable he
13. een fixed e shut off the gas supply at the meter control valve if gas continues to escape call the Gas Emergency free phone number on 0800 111 999 e call a Gas Safe registered engineer to check all your gas appliances AANA ELLEN NATIS Top tips for prevention e Installation repair and regular servicing of any gas and fossil fuel appliances and flues and chimneys should be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer e Make sure you have good ventilation and enough fresh air in the room containing your gas appliance e Ensure chimneys flues aren t blocked and vents aren t covered e Get your chimney swept from top to bottom at least once a year by a qualified sweep REGISTER Gas safe engineers You can check if an engineer is on the register by visiting the website www gassaferegister co uk Carbon monoxide alarms Carbon Monoxide alarms are useful but aren t a substitute for proper installation and maintenance of gas appliances Make sure the alarm meets British Standard EN50291 and ideally the British Standard Kite mark You should install check and service CO alarms according to the manufacturer s instructions CO alarms are available from DIY and hardware stores Cigarettes Cigarettes can burn at temperatures of over 700 degrees centigrade they are hotter than you think e Stub cigarettes out properly and dispose of them carefully e Never smoke in bed e Don t leave a lit
14. ning a safe escape Fitting a smoke alarm is the first crucial step to protecting yourself from fire But what would you e Keep door and window keys where everyone do if it went off during the night This section will help you make a plan ready for an emergency can find them What to do if there is a fire the professionals e Plan an escape route and make sure everyone who lives in or visits your home knows how e Keep calm and act quickly get everyone out to escape as soon as possible and always close doors behind you e Make sure the escape routes and exits are kept clear e Don t waste time investigating what s happened or rescuing valuables e The best route is the normal way in and out of your home e If there s smoke keep low where the air is clear e Before you open a door check if it s warm If it is don t open it fire is on the other side e Think of a second route in case the first one is blocked e Call 999 as soon as you re clear of the building e Take a few moments to practice your 999 calls are free escape plan e If the layout of your home changes or circumstances changes review your plan www dsfire gov uk 23 What to do if your escape route is blocked How to escape from a high level building e If you can t get out get everyone into one e Avoid using lifts and balconies if there is a fire De Ray ene wine pane Pee e It is easy to get confused in smoke so count how many
15. se or over several levels or for people with hearing difficulties Fitting your smoke alarm e A smoke alarm should be fitted on each level of your property e The ideal position is on the ceiling in the middle of a room hallway and landing so you can hear the alarm throughout your home e The alarm should be fitted at least 30cm away from a wall or light fitting e Do not put alarms in or near kitchens or bathrooms where smoke or steam can set them off by accident e Follow the instructions supplied with the alarm and keep the User Manual for future reference x Testing your smoke alarm e If you have an alarm that requires batteries the fire and rescue service recommend that this is done on a date that is easy to remember for example your birthday or a special anniversary Never disconnect remove or take the batteries out of your alarm if it goes off by mistake refer to manufacturer s instructions as to what to do next If batteries are changeable it could simply be that they need replacing 10 year alarms still require testing Test all smoke alarms every week always follow manufacturer s instructions www dsfire gov uk Make checking your smoke alarm part of your regular household routine e Every three months if you can open the case and gently vacuum using a vacuum fitted with the soft brush attachment if the case doesn t open vacuum over and around the case of the
16. ur smoke alarm battery carbon Every 10 years monoxide alarm e service any major electrical appliances Every month e change your smoke alarm Check list e vacuum off your alarm Detection Yes No Every year 1 Do you know the different types of smoke alarms available L page 4 have all gas appliances serviced by a 2 Ifyou have extra needs such as hearing or sight difficulties qualified inspector do you know the special types of smoke alarm available page 4 replace your smoke alarm battery unless 3 Do you know how many smoke alarms to have and the best ensure your house number name can be 4 Do you know how to maintain your smoke alarm page 7 seen from the roadway byemergency services 5 Do you know how to make sure your smoke alarm works page 6 e have your chimney swept to keep it clean and prevent fires www dsfire gov uk 33 Yes No Yes No Prevention 18 If you are deaf or hard of hearing do you know who you can 6 Do you know what shouldn t put in a microwave page 10 Contactoare saei haipand aduce Q 7 Do you know the maximum capacity of an extension lead or adaptor page 12 13 i M leant ne you should carry out ee 8 Do you know the safest deep fat fryer you can use page 9 20 Do you know why you should close room doors at night 9 If you use a chip pan
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18. y amps it can take so be careful Faulty electrics appliances wiring and e Certain appliances such as washing ar icieucroadncnirencdliccnnonemednc e Don t position lights or bulbs near curtains and overloaded sockets are the cause of around machines should have a single plug to Appliances use different amounts of power _ other fabrics The heat which you cannot see 7000 house fires across the country every year themselves as they are high powered will set the fabric above alight within hours a television may use a 3amp plug and a How to avoid electrical fires e Remember to check and replace any old vacuum cleaner a Samp plug for example Ensure you have the correct bulb for the cables and leads light fitting e Make sure an electrical appliance has a British Keep electrical appliances clean and in good or European safety mark when you buy it e Unplug appliances at night or when you re working order to prevent them starting a fire e When installing lights such as down lighters not using them to reduce the risk of fire only use a qualified electrician e Keep electrics leads and appliances Watch for signs of dangerous or loose wiring away from water such as scorch marks hot plugs and sockets fuses that blow circuit breakers that trip for no obvious reasons flickering lights e Remember one plug per socket If you need more plugs than there are sockets use a bar type fuse adaptor Know the limit 54 54 3 13

Home safety - Somerset Homelet

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