Fire Safety in your home

If there is a fire in your home, get out, stay out, call 999

• Don’t try and put it out yourself.
• Keep calm.
• Get everyone out as soon as you can.
• The last one out should close the door to slow down the fire.
• If there is smoke, stay close to the ground.
• Call 999 as soon as you are clear of the building.

You are responsible for fire safety in your home

• Don’t keep anything on your balcony that could catch fire.
• Don’t leave burning candles unattended.
• In the summer months please don’t leave mirrors in direct sunlight.
• Don’t block the fire escape routes.
• If you see a fire risk in your home or building, let us know as soon as possible.

01843 577262

Preventing fires

Cooking

• If you leave the kitchen when cooking, take pans off the heat.
• Take care when wearing loose clothing so that it doesn’t catch fire.
• Keep tea towels away from the cooker and hob.
• Use a safety gas lighter or hob ignition to light a gas hob, not matches or a cigarette lighter.
• Check the cooker is off when you have finished cooking.
• Keep toasters clean and away from curtains and kitchen rolls.
• Keep the oven, hob and grill clean and in good working order.

Safe use of electrical equipment

Things like toasters, kettles and hair straighteners

E-scooters and e-bikes

Fires related to e-bikes and e-scooters usually happen in the home. They are often caused when the batteries are being charged.

Never try to make changes to, or tamper with the battery.

Follow the instructions

• Never leave it charging when you are asleep or there is no one around.
• Unplug the charger when the battery is full.
• Use the correct charger.
• Buy branded replacement chargers from a reputable company.

Overheating causes fires

• Let batteries cool down before you charge them.
• Charge on a hard flat surface.
• Don’t expose batteries to very hot or very cold temperatures.
• Take care not to damage the battery.
• Do not use damaged batteries.
• Where to charge your battery

Where to charge your battery

• Never block escape routes with e-bikes or e-scooters.
• Store and charge them away from a main exit.
• Make sure you and your family know how to escape if there is a fire.

If there is a fire, don’t try and fight it yourself. Call 999.

Things like toasters, kettles and hair straighteners

• Keep electrical equipment away from water.
• Don’t use damaged or faulty equipment.
• Take care not to overload sockets with too many appliances.
• Never plug an extension lead into an extension lead.
• When you buy electricals, check that they have a kite mark or CE mark that tells you it is made to the correct safety standard.
• Follow the instructions.
• Unplug them when you are not using them.
• Buy branded replacement chargers from a reputable company.

Candles

• Try not to use candles.
• If you do, use a proper holder.
• Keep candles away from anything that could catch fire.
• Make sure they are completely out when you leave the room.
• Keep away from children and pets.

Heaters

• Keep heaters away from anything that could catch fire.
• Never use them to dry clothes.
• Don’t leave them on overnight.
• Switch off at the plug after use (this does not apply to storage heaters).

Smoking

• Try not to smoke indoors.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Use an ashtray - never a wastepaper bin.
• Make sure your ashtray can’t tip over.
• Don’t leave a room with a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe in it.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.
• Always make sure your cigarette is out before throwing it away.
• Damp it with water before putting it in a bin.

How to make your home safer

• Make sure your family knows what to do if there is a fire.
• Make sure you know what your fire evacuation plan is.
• Make sure you know the layout of your building.
• Keep door and window keys where everyone can find them.
• Check that your front door is not damaged or faulty.
• Close doors at night to help prevent the spread of fire.
• Never prop communal doors open.
• Keep escape routes clear from anything you could trip on if there was smoke in the building.
• Don’t store anything in communal areas.
• Check that your furniture is fire resistant. Make sure that it has a label on it that tells you it is fire resistant, if you buy anything new or secondhand. Don’t take off the label.

Smoke and heat alarms

• Make sure you have smoke alarms.
• If you have any problems with alarms, contact us as soon as possible.
• Never cover smoke or heat alarms.
• Test the smoke alarms in your home at least once a week.

If you live in a block of flats

• Know your building evacuation plan.
• The fire evacuation plan is in the lobby.
• Put your rubbish in bins or chutes.
• Check that your door can fully self-close.
• Never use paraffin or bottled gas heaters.
• If you use medical gases - let us know.

If you are worried about anything to do with fire safety, you should contact

Thanet District Council

01843 577262

Or email myhome@thanet.gov.uk

The Fire Services website offers lots of fire safety help and advice on this website:

www.fireservice.co.uk/safety