Common home fires
Help us, help you by taking action to ensure you and your family stay safe.
If you do your bit to minimise the risks in your home, we can all stay safer together.
Prevent electrical fires
- Don’t overload powerpoints and powerboards.
- Regularly check electrical leads for damage and faults.
- Never use faulty electrical leads or appliances.
- Store your electric blanket safely – roll don't fold.
- Before going to bed, turn off all electrical appliances at the powerpoint.
- Turn off electric blankets and heaters when you’re not at home and before getting into bed.
Prevent fires from heaters & open fires
- Keep everything one metre away from your heater.
- Install and use as per manufacturer’s instructions.
- If you suspect a fault, have the heater serviced or replaced.
- Always supervise young children in rooms with open fires or working heaters.
- Ensure flues and chimneys are regularly cleaned.
- Strong fire screens should be set up in front of open fires.
- Never use wheat bags in bed.
Prevent clothes dryer fires
- Clean your lint filter before or after each use.
- Ensure there is adequate air flow around your dryer.
- Don’t leave the dryer operating when you’re not home.
Prevent fires from cigarettes & candles
- Keep candles well away from curtains with open windows and put them out when you leave the room.
- Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.
- An adult should be present at all times when a candle is being used.
- Extinguish cigarettes properly before disposal.
- Never smoke in bed. It’s extremely dangerous.
- Only use child-proof lighters and deep ashtrays.
Did you know?
The use of heaters, cigarettes and candles are common causes of fires.
When you're asleep, you won't smell the smoke from a fire.
You're twice as likely to die in a home fire if you don't have a working smoke alarm.
Electrical appliances and faults cause almost 40% of home fires.