As more of us self-isolate and spend an increased amount of time at home, it is important to look after your fire safety. You may be spending more time cooking, heating your home, using electrical appliances and lighting candles. 

Did you know?

• A smoke alarm could save you in a fire. Fit smoke alarms on each level of your home - it's the simplest, single step you can take to cut the risk of dying from fire in your home. Test the batteries in your smoke alarm every week and change them every year - never remove them.

Find out more about fitting and testing smoke alarms

• Smoking is still be biggest cause of fatal fires, stub them out properly and dispose of them carefully.

Smoking safety advice

• More than half of accidental fires in the home start because of something to do with cooking, take extra care when cooking with hot oil. Don’t leave cooking unattended.

Get more advice about cooking safely and general kitchen safety

• You may be using far more electrical appliances for a longer period of time. Don't overload sockets. Too many electrical appliances plugged into one socket can overload it, which can lead to overheating.

More about electrical appliance fire safety

• Candles, decorative lights and decorations are a growing cause of fires, make sure candles are secured in a stable holder and kept away from curtains, fabrics and paper, always put candles out when you are leaving the room or going to bed.

Further candle safety guidance

• Plan an escape route and make a bedtime check: plan a route to escape your home if there is a fire and make sure everyone in the house knows the plan. if there's a fire, don't tackle it yourself - get out, stay out and call 999. Check for fire hazards in your home before you go to bed - it takes longer to become aware of a fire when you are asleep.

Make sure you and your housemates are safe. Plan an escape route

Remember! If there is a fire in your home - get out, stay out and call 999 - don't try to tackle the fire yourself, and never go back into a burning building.

For more information go to www.manchesterfire.gov.uk

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