Check your property is fire safe

In the UK, there are around 35,000 house fires and over 300 fire related deaths every year. Making sure your home is fire safe is extremely important for your peace of mind, and one of the easiest ways to do that is through fire safety checks. We’ve put together a list of checks and risks you should look out for in the home to make sure your home is as safe from fire as it can be.
 

Check your smoke alarms

This is the most important thing you can do to keep your home safe from fire. You are ten times more likely to die from a fire in your home if you don’t have a working smoke alarm, so make sure all your smoke alarms are well-placed and working. 

Fit smoke alarms on every floor of your home, including in each bedroom, but don’t put a smoke alarm in a kitchen or bathroom. The steam from cooking and showering can damage the alarm or set it off by mistake. You also need to replace smoke alarms every ten years. If you live in rented accommodation and aren’t sure how long they’ve been there, be sure to ask your landlord or letting agent. 

Keep an eye on the hob

Cooking appliances are the main cause of fires started in the home. To reduce the risk, always stay in the kitchen while cooking, and if you have to leave make sure you take the pans off the heat or turn them off altogether. You should also remember to store any tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob to mitigate the risk of them catching alight. 

Don’t neglect electrical appliances

Faulty electrical appliances cause over 3,500 fires in the home every year. If you’re using an extension lead, make sure you don’t overload it by having multiple plugs connected to one socket. It’s also important that you keep electrical appliances clean and in good working order to prevent sparks from triggering a fire.

Watch out for naked flames

Nearly three accidental house fires a day are caused by candles. Never leave them burning when you’re not in the room, and make sure they’re kept away from anything that may catch fire, such as curtains and clothes.

Check before you go to sleep

A lot of house fires start at night when you’re asleep in bed, so try to make a sweep of the appliances before you go to bed and turn off whatever sockets aren’t in use. 
 

Want to know if your home is fire safe? Take the government's home fire safety check to find out.

If you’re a landlord and want us to visit your property and check your smoke alarms for you, then please contact our Property Management team.

Whether you live in your home or let it to tenants, it's important to make sure your property is covered should any accidents occur. Get in touch with our partner First2Protect for more information about home and landlord insurance.

Landlord Insurance services are referred to First2Protect Ltd., Hawes & Co do not provide advice in this area.

The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.