Fire Safety Officer fitting smoke alarm on ceiling

Home Safety Advice

Fires can start in any room in your home and the effects can be devastating. While most house fires are accidental, knowing where the risks are in your home and how to prevent them is crucial to keep your home and loved ones safe.

Here are our 10 top tips for staying safe from fire at home:

Make sure you have smoke alarms on every floor of your home
Smoke alarms save lives, but only if they are working. Test smoke alarms regularly
Take extra care in the kitchen and never leave cooking unattended
Avoid using a chip pan or any other pan filled with hot oil
Don’t overload electric sockets – most can only take a maximum of 13 amps
Keep matches and lighters away from children
Keep clothes well away from heaters and open fires
Put out cigarettes properly and dispose of them carefully
Don’t charge items such as mobile phones, tablets or e-cigarettes overnight
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 Safety 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:

Book your Home Safety Visit

Call: 0300 303 0088

Web: essex-fire.gov.uk/book

Email: home.safety@essex-fire.gov.uk

Fire safety equipment at home

We often get asked if homeowners should have a fire extinguisher to use in the event of a fire. And while it may help you feel safer, we don't encourage you to tackle fires and out yourself at risk. Fires can quickly get out of control and spread quickly, so we recommend that if you have a fire at home to get out, stay out and call 999. The best piece of equipment to keep yourself safe is a working smoke alarm.

Book a Home Safety Visit

Community Safety Officer fits smoke alarm to the ceiling

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We offer free home safety visits to any Essex resident and we willl provide and fit smoke alarms completely free of charge.

Online Home Fire Safety Check

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Use our online tool to help keep your home and family safe from fire

Home Safety Advice - Hearing Loss

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Home Safety Advice for people with hearing loss including specialist sensory smoke alarms

Smoke alarms

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A smoke alarm is the single most important thing you need in your home. They are proven life savers and will alert you to the first sign of fire.

Electrical Fire Safety

Women's hands resetting a fuse box on the wall

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Electrical appliances, plugs and cables that are old or poorly wired can be a real danger in your home

High-rise fire safety

Several tall buildings sitting on the riverside at dusk

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It's important to understand what to do in the event of a fire, whether it’s in your flat or somewhere else in the building.

Cooking

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Cooking is one of the major causes of fires at home. In fact, in 2022 1 in 3 accidental house fires started because of cooking and cooking appliances.

Escape Routes

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A well-practised escape route plan could help save your life if a fire starts in your home.

Carbon Monoxide

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Carbon monoxide poisoning is often called the silent killer as, without a carbon monoxide detector, it’s difficult to detect the poisonous gas.

Safety advice for parents and guardians

Dad and two young boys sat on a wooden floor, looking at a book together

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We're urging parents and guardians to take fire safety precautions with younger children and to educate older children about fire safety.

Home safety advice for Carers

If you care for a family member, or are a social worker or support worker, we are here to support you. On this page you will find specialist advice to help you and those you look after keep safe.

What to do after a fire in your home

There is support available to help you and your family after a fire, including temporary accommodation. Find out what services you can access.

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,

First Aid

First aid can be crucial for saving someone's life in an emergency. Here's a link to NHS website guidance on first aid that might help:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/burns-and-scalds/treatment/

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