Home Fire Safety Advice

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service is working to reduce the number of deaths and injuries within the home and community caused by fire and accidents

General Home Fire Safety Guidance

Domestic Smoke Alarm Guide

A smoke alarm is a device that will detect a fire in the early stages and give a warning to ensure that you have vital extra time to escape.

Why Install a Smoke Alarm?

  • Each year over 500 deaths and 11,000 injuries occur in fires in the home.
  • Many of these deaths and injuries could be prevented if people had early warning and were able to get out in time.
  • Having correctly fitted and working smoke alarms in your home could help to save your home and the lives of your family from fire.
  • The normal advice is to have at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home, in particular, at the top and bottom of the stairs.
  • Smoke alarms must be tested weekly to ensure they are working.

Fire Safety for people with sight, hearing or mobility difficulties

Please see the fire service leaflet [pdf document] for further information.

The Main Causes of Fire in the Home

Chip Pans

  • Never fill chip pans more than one third full of oil
  • If your chip pan catches fire, close the kitchen door
  • Get everyone outside and ring 999 for the Fire Service
  • Do not cook under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Where possible, please use an electric deep fat fryer instead of a chip pan

Smoking Materials

  • Ensure cigarettes are put out properly
  • Keep matches and lighters away from young children
  • Never smoke in bed
  • Use a proper ashtray

Electrics

  • Do not put cables under carpets or mats or anywhere they could cause a tripping hazard, near water, cookers or other sources of heat
  • Do not use an appliance with loose wiring, frayed or damaged cable or faulty plugs
  • Do not overload sockets (max 13 amps per socket)
  • Always unplug any unused appliances (Except those which are designed to stay on at night, such as fridges and freezers)
  • If you have an electrical fire, pull the plug out, or switch off the power at the fuse box, if it is safe to do so.  Never use water on an electrical fire, don't take any risks, get out and stay out and call 999.

Heat Sources

  • Position heaters so they are backed against a wall
  • There must be a one metre gap between any item of furniture and a heat source
  • Do not fold electric blankets.  Roll it or store it flat instead

Candles

  • Ensure lighted candles are on a heat-resistant surface, be especially careful with night lights and tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic. 
  • Ensure tea light candles are used in glass or ceramic holders and ensure any lit candle can't fall over
  • Never leave burning candles in a room unattended
  • Do not place them near furnishings, curtains, on window sills or near plant foliage
  • Keep candles out of reach of children or pets
  • Ensure candles are put out and not still smouldering before moving them and be careful of hot wax