04 November 2023 , 09:53
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So many lives are ruined and lost in the UK from the 40,000 house fires that happen every year, and the periods around Halloween and Bonfire Night can be particularly hazardous.
It is almost time to commemorate the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 with some of our own explosions this year and Bonfire Night – Britain's annual celebration of November 5 – is the time to do it. But while we would normally celebrate with bonfires, fireworks displays and of course, the children's favourite, sparklers at our homes and at public displays – there is plenty of danger lurking as well.
Never overload your plugs, especially with products that use a lot of electricity (Ashbourne News Telegraph)Here Fire Action expert Paul Garry shares his top safety tips to make sure you and your family is safe, whether out and about or while you are at home. The first hazard to think about is not causing a fire with fireworks or a mini bonfire getting out of hand, it's electrical sockets.
More than 20,000 accidental house fires are electrical fires and 90 percent of those are caused by electrical appliances. Never overload your plugs, especially with products that use a lot of electricity, such as dehumidifiers. Get into the habit of switching off any sockets when you go out, when you are not using them or when you go to bed.
If you are having a home bonfire and fireworks, make sure they are lit at least 18m away from houses, trees, hedges, fences, shrubs and sheds. Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby in case of emergencies and pour water on the bonfire embers at the end of the night. Always read the instructions on the firework (by torchlight rather than a naked flame) and never go back to a lit firework.
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Candles are a major fire hazard, even in pumpkinsAs with any electrical appliance that is hot, ensure any electric heaters are kept at least 3m away from clothes or furniture. Keep them switched off whenever you are not in the house. The atmospheric light candles give a room can bring a great deal of joy, and on Halloween, inside pumpkins. However, they are a major cause of fires in the home, so you must blow out candles when you leave the room and never leave them without supervision around children or pets as they could get knocked over by mistake. Also, avoid using candles in bedrooms as you may fall asleep and leave them burning.
To add to the protection around your home, you can buy fire-proof spray to apply to your furniture. Check out sites such as Fireproofspray.co.uk. for further information. If you do go out to enjoy a firework display and bonfire, don't leave pans unattended.
Don't leave pots and pans unattended (Getty)Almost 13,000 house fires every year begin in the kitchen. If a pan does catch fire, don’t throw water on it or move it, as this can make it worse. If you can do it safely, turn off the heat at the source, and use an oven mitt to put a lid on the pan.
Failing that, and if you have one, use a fire extinguisher (you can buy a home fire pack for about £20 from sites such as Firesafety.uk.com) and aim it at the base of the fire. Never use water to put out grease fires – instead throw baking soda or salt over it, or try to smother it with a damp towel.
Tumble driers can usually be left alone to get on with their job, but you should make sure they are well maintained by clearing out clogged lint trays every time you use your drier. If you leave the lint to build up it could overheat and start a fire.
Mice or rats can cause a fire hazard (Getty)When it comes to other electrical safety tips, a good one is to try to make sure your home is pest-free as mice or rats can chew on electrical insulation inside and outside your property and if you find any that have been damaged, always replace them.
Clutter around the home is a fire hazard, so clear out or recycle any old clothes, cardboard boxes, cuddly toys and newspapers stored in garages or attics, as these are all highly flammable. So throw away or recycle unwanted things when you can.
And even if you are unfortunate enough to have a fire in your home, make sure there is a smoke alarm on every level of your house. On average, you are at least four times more likely to die if your smoke alarm is broken – so test smoke alarms weekly.