Skip to main content
Accessibility Tool
  • Zoom in
  • Zoom out
  • Reset
  • Contrast
  • Accessibility help
Home

Website header menu

  • Join Essex Fire
  • Request a home safety visit
  • Contact us
Menu Close
  • Home
  • About us
    Back
    About us
    • How we respond to keep Essex safe
    • Our strategies, plans and reports
    • Service Leadership Team
    • Our Fire Stations
    • Accessibility statement
    • Safeguarding statement
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Financial information
    • Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex
  • Join Essex Fire
  • Safety advice
  • Education
    Back
    Education
    • Education Programmes
    • Education Hub
    • Fire Cadets
    • Fire Safety Intervention
    • FireBreak
    • Activities for Children
  • Incidents
  • News
  • The Essex Fire Museum
  • Contact us
    Back
    Contact us
    • Contact our Service
    • Compliments and Complaints
    • Incident Reports

Website header menu

  • Join Essex Fire
  • Request a home safety visit
  • Contact us
Events and Open Days

Events and Open Days

Find out more
Save Safely

Save Safely

Fires cost. At best it’s smoke damage and a new appliance, at worst it’s your house or even your life. Here are our best tips to save money while staying safe at the same time. 

The cost of living is rising and people are…

Find out more
Summer Safety

Summer Safety

Summer is a busy period for our fire service so we're giving our best advice to help prevent incidents and help everyone to stay safe this summer.  

Our fire service usually sees a rise in wildfires in the summer and…

Find out more

Welcome to our new website. We welcome your feedback.

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
Fire Safety Officer fitting smoke alarm on ceiling

Home Safety Advice

The best way to stay safe from fire is to understand the common risks and how to reduce them in your home.

 

Fires can start in any room and the effects can be devastating. Knowing how to reduce the risk of fire in your home can help to keep everyone safe.

Here are our 10 top tips for staying safe:

  1. Make sure you have smoke alarms on every floor of your home
  2. Smoke alarms save lives, but only if they are working. Please test smoke alarms regularly
  3. Take extra care in the kitchen and never leave cooking unattended
  4. Avoid using a chip pan or any other pan filled with hot oil
  5. Don’t overload electric sockets – most can only take a maximum of 13 amps
  6. Keep matches and lighters away from children
  7. Keep clothes well away from heaters and open fires
  8. Put out cigarettes properly and dispose of them carefully
  9. Don’t charge items such as mobile phones, tablets or e-cigarettes overnight
  10. Plan an escape route and make sure everyone knows how to get out in the event of a fire

Don't forget we offer free home visits to anyone living in Essex. If you do not have working smoke alarms, or have working smoke alarms but would like more information about how to live safely and securely at home, book one of our free visits today. Call 0300 303 0088 or visit www.essex-fire.gov.uk/book.

Do you know how to test your smoke alarm?

A working smoke alarm is the number one way to protect your family from the risk of fire. Checking it at least once a month and making sure you can hear it properly is just as important as installing it!

Visit our YouTube channel for more helpful tips about how you can stay safe at home, 

Remote video URL
Stay connected

Sign up to receive news and updates from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service

Did you find this page useful?

  • Yes
  • No
Online Home Safety Check
Find out more
FireStoppers
Find out more
Living safe and well at home, ECFRS offers home fire safety advice
Find out more

Footer

  • Compliments and Complaints
  • Incident Reports
  • Staff Email access
  • Retired Members Association

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters

Kelvedon Park
Rivenhall
Witham
Essex
CM8 3HB

Emergencies: 999

HQ Tel: 01376 576000 HQ

Tel: 0300 3035555

Fax: 01376 570466

Do not report emergencies to our HQ. To report an emergency please call 999.

Request a fire report or make a Freedom of Information request here

Make compliments and complaints here

Connect with us

  • Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin

Armed Forces Covenant logoInclusive Employers Standard logo

Footer bottom

  • Accessibility statement
  • Safeguarding statement
  • Cookies policy
  • Privacy Notice