Don't give fire a home
Fire is a devastating experience. There are around 63 thousand house fires in the UK each year and Scotland has the highest number of fire fatalities per capita in the whole of the UK!
"Don't Give Fire A Home" is all about rethinking how dangerous fire can be and understanding how we can make our homes and lifestyles safer.
Fire Facts
Most people think "Fire will never happen to me." In fact four out of five Scots believe they are not at risk of fire. However, you are twice as likely to die in a house fire in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK.
You can request a FREE Community Fire Safety visit from the Fire and Rescue Services. A fireman will come to your home and identify potential fire risks, provide advice and fit a free 10 year smoke alarm. To request a visit, simply text FIRE to 61611 and someone from the fire service wil get in contact with you.
Do You Give Fire A Home?
You may believe that a fire will never happen to you...but how cautious are you in the home? In most cases, people cause fires by using the wrong fuse, overloading sockets or using faulty equipment or by leaving electrical appliances unattended. The following appliances are just 3 potential fire hazards:-
Electric cooker
Most incidents are due to fat fires (chip pans) and misuse, but others are caused through faulty appliances and wiring.
Washing Machines
With 1,607 machines going up in flames in a single year the washing machine is an appliance that needs to be serviceable and safe.
Never leave your washing machine on overnight or while you're out!
Television
A disturbing number of TV's caused fires in a single year, 516 due to electrical faults.
Fire Safety
Make sure you buy a smoke alarm that complies with BS 5446, check the batteries every week and replace them once a year.
Have an escape route planned. Make sure that you have practised it and that everyone in your house knows it.
Never leave a pan unattended.
Make sure all cigarettes are out properly before you bin them.
Never leave candles unattended.
Never leave your mobile phone charger or hair straighteners unattended.
Switch off non-essential electrical appliances at night or when you are out of the house.
Don't overload electric sockets.
If you spot a fire, no matter how small, get to a safe place, dial 999, then wait for the fire brigade to arrive.
For information on more fire hazards and how to make your home safer, check out:
www.infoscotland.co.uk/dontgivefireahome
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