Lots of people contact us to ask for a home safety check and because demand for this service is very high, it may take a few weeks before we can visit you.

You can carry out your own home safety check, by following five quick steps.

Smoke alarms

Working smoke alarms give you an early warning to a fire in your home, giving you and your family the vital extra minutes needed to take action and escape.

Check if:

• You have a smoke alarm on every floor of your home
• Your smoke alarm is working. Do this by holding down the ‘test’ button until it beeps
• Your smoke alarm is free from dust

If you need a smoke alarm, most supermarkets and DIY shops sell them from as little as £5 each.

Kitchen

Half of all house fires start in the kitchen, so take the time to check this room for hazards.

Check if:

• Oven gloves, tea towels, cardboard and electric leads are well away from the hob
• Ovens and grill pans should be free from grease and crumbs, as these can easily catch fire

Please don’t leave cooking unattended and never use chip pans or pans filled with hot oil.

Electrics

Faulty electrics cause more than 6,000 across the country every year.

Check for:

• Overloaded sockets and extension leads- try to use one plug per socket. High powered appliances like washing machines should have a plug to themselves, as extension leads can only take a maximum of 13 amps
• Look out for signs of dangerous or loose wiring, such as scorch marks, hot plugs and fuses that regularly blow

Don’t leave things like mobile phones and laptops plugged in overnight, or beyond the recommended charging time, as this can often cause fires.

Cigarettes and candles

Every three days someone dies from a fire caused by a cigarette.

Remember:

• If you smoke, don’t light up if you need to lie down. You could easily fall asleep, setting the bed or couch on fire
• Keep matches and lighters away from children

Keep candles and tea lights in proper holders and well away from anything that could catch fire, like curtains

Make an escape plan

If your smoke alarms went off at night, how would you get out safely? Now is the time to make an escape plan.

Check if:

• Escape routes are blocked. Keep escape routes, like front and back doors, clear at all times
• Door and window keys are kept in a safe place at night where everyone can find them
• Everyone in the house, especially children, knows what to do in the event of a fire

Watch our video to find out how to plan an escape route