There are simple things you can do to reduce the risk of fire in your home and help keep yourself, your household and your neighbours safe. This page explains:
- how to reduce the risk of fires in your home, including advice for high-rise blocks
- what you can do to prepare for an emergency
Smoke alarms
Smoke alarms are the best and easiest way to alert you to a fire, giving you and your family valuable time to escape.
Test your smoke alarms every week and keep them in good working order.
Read Maintaining your smoke alarm for advice on testing and maintenance.
Get a smoke alarm testing reminder
Safelincs offers a reminder service by text message or email. The service is free and can be cancelled at any time.
Visit the Safelincs website to register.
Kitchen safety
Cooking
When cooking:
- do not leave cooking unattended
- take pans off the heat or turn them down if you need to leave the kitchen
- make sure saucepan handles do not stick out where they could be knocked
- take care when wearing loose clothing as it can catch fire easily
- keep tea towels and other items away from the hob
- use a spark device to light a gas cooker instead of matches or lighters
- make sure the cooker is switched off when you've finished cooking
If a pan catches fire, turn off the heat if it's safe to do so. Never throw water over it.
Deep fat frying
If you use a deep fat fryer:
- take care when cooking with hot oil as it can catch fire easily
- make sure food is dry before putting it in hot oil to prevent splashing
- if the oil starts smoking, it's too hot; turn off the heat and leave it to cool
- use a thermostat-controlled electric deep fat fryer where possible - they can't overheat
General kitchen safety
To reduce the risk of fire:
- keep electrical appliances away from water
- keep toasters clean and away from curtains, kitchen roll and wall units
- keep the oven, hob and grill clean to prevent a build-up of grease
- do not put metal objects in a microwave
- do not leave children in the kitchen alone when cooking
- keep matches and saucepan handles out of children's reach
Electrical and battery safety
To reduce the risk of electrical fires:
- do not overload sockets, extension leads and adaptors
- make sure plugs are fitted securely
- keep appliances clean and in good working order
- use the correct fuse to prevent overheating
- buy electrical products with a recognised UK or European safety mark
- keep to one plug per socket for high-powered appliances such as washing machines
- replace damaged or worn cables and leads
- unplug appliances when they are not in use
Check regularly for signs of dangerous or loose wiring, such as:
- scorch marks
- hot plugs and sockets
- fuses that blow
- circuit-breakers that trip for no obvious reasons
- flickering lights
Read Oxfordshire County Council's guidance on:
Electric blankets
If you use an electric blanket:
- store it flat, rolled up or loosely folded
- unplug it before getting into bed, unless it has a thermostat control for safe all-night use
- avoid buying second-hand blankets if possible
- check it regularly for signs of wear and tear
Batteries, e-bikes and e-scooters
Handle batteries with care, including those used in e-bikes and e-scooters.
You should:
- only use chargers made for your device
- avoid charging overnight or when you’re not home
- unplug chargers when charging is complete
- recycle batteries responsibly and never put them in the bin, as this can cause fires
- avoid storing or charging e-bikes or e-scooters inside your home because of the fire risk associated with their batteries
Smoking, candles and naked flames
Smoking
Smoking is the most common cause of fire-related deaths.
If you smoke in your home:
- use a stable ashtray made from a non-combustible material
- do not leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended
- fully extinguish cigarettes and dispose of them properly - do not put them directly into a bin
- empty ashtrays regularly
- never smoke in bed
- keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach - consider buying child-resistant lighters and matches
- avoid charging e-cigarettes overnight
- only use the charger and parts supplied with your e-cigarette
- do not carry loose spare batteries in your pocket
Smoking is prohibited in all communal areas.
Candles
You should:
- never leave candles burning unattended
- consider using battery-powered candles or oil burners instead
- keep candles away from curtains, furniture or other combustible materials
- extinguish candles fully after use
- place candles in a suitable holder on a non-combustible surface
Aerosols near naked flames
- keep aerosols in a cool, dry place
- do not spray aerosols near a naked flame
- do not smoke when using aerosols or immediately afterwards
Barbecues
- Barbecues on balconies are a serious fire risk. Do not use them.
General household safety
Appliances
Check whether your appliances are subject to a product recall by visiting the government's Product recalls and alerts on GOV.UK.
Fire doors
- keep fire doors closed when they are not in use
- do not prop or wedge communal doors open
Furniture
- Check that your furniture has a permanent fire-resistant label.
Portable heaters
If you use a portable heater:
- keep it away from furniture, curtains, clothing or other combustible materials
- choose a safer model, such as an oil-filled radiator heater rather than radiant bar heaters
- secure it against a wall to prevent it falling over
- do not use it to dry clothes
If you live in a high-rise block
Fire doors
Fire-resistant entrance doors help prevent the spread of fire and smoke and are a legal requirement in high-rise blocks. These doors include:
- a self-closer
- a fire-resistant door viewer
- a fire-resistant letterbox assembly
- intumescent seals to the door frame (seals that swell if heated to prevent fire spread)
- smoke seals to the door frame
- fire-resistant hinges and handles
- a thumb-turn lock
Do not remove, tamper with or alter any of these fittings.
Report any fault or damage to the door by speaking to customer services requesting an emergency repair.
We will inspect flat entrance fire doors regularly. Notice of the dates of inspection will be given in advance. Residents, leaseholders and tenants must allow access for inspections.
Communal areas
Do not keep combustible items in communal areas and landings. This includes artificial flowers, furniture, rubbish bins and books.
Any combustible items found in communal areas landings will be removed and disposed of.
Enclosed balconies
If you have an enclosed balcony:
- do not use barbecues, wood burners, candles or attempt to cook on the balcony
- do not store combustible items on the balcony
- avoid storing bottles or mirrors as these can focus sunlight and start fires
- avoid use of soft furnishings on any furniture on your enclosed balcony
- use metal furniture on your balcony if possible
- take extra care if smoking on your balcony and never dispose of cigarettes over the edge of the balcony
Housekeeping
To help keep everyone safe and ensure you can escape quickly in an emergency:
- keep routes to your front door clear at all times
- do not leave, store or dump items in communal areas or around the outside of the building, as they can block escape routes, create trip hazards and increase the risk of fire
- report items left in communal areas to your Estate Officer so they can be removed
- do not place mirrors near windows, as reflected sunlight can start a fire
- do not store or charge e-scooters or e-bikes in communal areas
- consider using a public hire e-bike or e-scooter scheme
- do not store petrol or any other fuel inside your home
Waste disposal and rubbish chutes
To reduce the risk of fire:
- put waste into small bags before putting it down the chute
- do not put loose boxes down the chute
- do not force bags down the chute
- do not leave bulky furniture on landings
- do not dispose of hazardous or toxic materials down the chute
- do not dispose of batteries or items containing batteries down the chute
- do not dispose of ashes, cigarettes or e-cigarettes down the chute
Sprinklers
To make sure sprinklers work properly:
- never paint a sprinkler head or cover plate
- never paint exposed pipework
- never hang anything from sprinkler heads or pipework
- never obstruct, damage or remove sprinkler heads
Do not use wallpaper or paint stripper near a sprinkler head. These will set off the sprinklers.
Arson
Sadly, fires are started deliberately every year and cause serious damage. You should:
- be vigilant to anti-social behaviour and report it to us
- report deliberate damage and small fires, as they can quickly escalate into more serious incidents
- be aware of tailgaters who may follow you through communal entrances without using a key fob
- make sure that housekeeping is well managed within your home, the building, and the external areas
How to prepare for a fire
Plan your escape route
Planning ahead can help you and your household escape more quickly and safely if a fire occurs.
Make an escape plan so everyone knows what to do in an emergency. Remember that you may need to leave the building in dark, smoky conditions or during a power cut.
Think about:
- who may need help to evacuate, such as children, older relatives or disabled family members
- how you will handle pets during an evacuation
- the quickest way out of your home
Keep escape routes clear at all times. An obstruction could be life-threatening in a fire. If you live in a shared building, make sure you report any rubbish left in communal areas or staircases.
Bedtime safety checklist
Before you go to bed:
- close internal doors at night to stop a fire spreading
- turn off and unplug electrical appliances that aren't in use
- check your cooker is turned off
- do not leave the washing machine running
- turn heaters off and put up fire guards
- put any candles or cigarettes out properly
- make sure exits are kept clear
- keep door and window keys where everyone can find them
Get help and advice
Read Safety in your home pages of the Oxfordshire County Council website.
If you are vulnerable or know someone who may be vulnerable, book a free safe and well visit with Oxfordshire County Council. During the visit, they will give you advice to reduce the risk of a fire happening in your home and discuss a fire escape plan.
