Seven ways to make your home more fire-safe

On average there are over 500 fires in the UK daily, around one fire every three minutes. Some are minor whilst others can be more devastating, with fire bringing a huge danger to life.

You must ensure that your home is fire-safe, this can range from improving your means of escape to regularly checking the electrics in your property. It’s all about reducing the risk of a fire, as well as increasing the amount of time you have to evacuate your property in the unfortunate event of one.

So our experts at Household Quotes have revealed seven ways to make your home more fire-safe.

Electrical appliances can be bought faulty, or become faulty over time. This can lead to sparks which ultimately could result in a fire. To avoid this, do regular inspections. Check the wiring is in good working order and look out for any abnormalities when it’s used. Some people remind themselves using stickers, and labelling when an appliance was last tested. On more expensive parts of your home like your cooker, washing machine and tumble dryer, you may want to pay for a professional to come and give it the all clear. 

Fire alarms are very important for fire safety, they will sound a loud alarm when smoke is detected, which tells you that you need to evacuate. However, your fire alarm could not be working without your knowledge. So conduct a test, as it might be the difference between life and death. Also, consider adding extra alarms to your home, and prioritise areas that are vulnerable to fires like your kitchen, or areas that cover a large radius such as your hallways.

Once your alarm starts, it’s now time to get out of your home. So it’s important that all members of your household are aware of their nearest escape route. Try and explain at least two per person, just in case one is blocked. If there is only one escape route, then look at ways you add another. This could be by making it easier for someone to climb down from their window by adding wood panelling to the outside wall. Fire can spread quickly, so the speed at which everyone can evacuate your property is the most important factor.

On average 50 people per year die of carbon monoxide poisoning in the UK. Carbon monoxide comes from burning fossil fuels, faulty heating appliances and gas fires. The detectors will beep when carbon monoxide is detected, informing you that it’s time to evacuate. They can be picked up for £15, so are very affordable and could end up saving your life.

Certain materials have very poor fire resistance, this can include carpets, curtains and bedsheets. These help fires spread quickly, a small fire can become major in just a matter of seconds. So when looking to decorate your home, choose materials that are fire resistant. Examples include mineral wool and fire brick which help rapidly slow down the fire process. This means you might have time to put it out yourself, or it will give you more time to evacuate, and every second counts.

Fire safety equipment is an important investment, having an extinguisher at hand can stop a small fire from becoming a big fire. It could also affect more than just you, if you live in a flat or attached property then the fire might even spread to your neighbours. Putting the fire out as quickly as possible reduces the chances of life being lost significantly. Another piece of equipment is a fire blanket, which helps put off fires by cutting the oxygen supply. Fire extinguishers can be purchased for as little as £10, with blankets from £5.

Night time is the most dangerous time for a fire to occur as you’ll be asleep. This will dramatically reduce your response time, increasing the chances of a fire spreading. So before you go to bed make sure you go around your home and switch off at the plug any electrical devices that you aren’t using. Ensure that the hallways are clear and that the fire alarms are in good working order.

‘’Safety whilst in our homes is very important, and one of the biggest threats to a property is a fire. Make sure to follow or at least take into consideration the tips that I’ve given. It could end up saving yours, your family members and your neighbour’s lives.’’

‘’The tips are also quite inexpensive, so they should be available to all who are trying to make their home more fire safe.’’