Fire Safety in the home

Fire Safety

People sometimes think that a fire can start only if matches are lit, a domestic fire is alight or someone is smoking. Remember that heat energy, fuel and oxygen are all that are needed to start a fire. There are plenty of sources of heat energy in the average home e.g. radiators, electrical appliances, chemical reactions (when two substances mix intentionally or unintentionally), sunlight (especially focused through glass), friction (created when two materials or objects rub against each other). The average home contains a lot of fuel-paper, fabrics, furniture, cushions, bedclothes and oxygen is freely available. It is important to prevent any likelihood of fire.

• Clothes should not be put to dry on fire guards.
• Tea towels should not be hung over the cooker to dry.
• Clothes should not be hung where they trail over radiators.
• Some homes have smoke alarms, although they can be set off when danger is slight (e.g. the toast burns) and your Service User may need to be warned of this.
• The batteries of smoke alarms also need to be checked regularly and replaced when necessary.
• Domestic fire extinguishers also need servicing annually (fire blankets do not need servicing).