Fire safety and Coronavirus: your lockdown to-do list

If you need help or advice on quitting, contact the Smokefree National Helpline on 0800 022 4332

Things to check:

• Check for near-misses you might not have spotted - scorch or burn marks on floors, clothing or bedding

• Check that any matches or lighters are kept out of reach of children

• Check that any e-liquids are out of reach of children and pets

Things to do:

• Smoke in the garden if you have one

• Empty all ashtrays carefully and never into a waste bin that could catch fire

• Place ashtrays in every room you smoke in

• If you're smoking on your balcony dispose of it safely. Thrown cigarette butts can be blown onto other balconies and start fires

Things you might choose to buy:

• Buy deep, heavy ashtrays that are less likely to tip over

• If you buy any e-cigarette devices buy them from a reputable seller

Head into your kitchen and look around. Is there anything that could catch fire near the hobs?

Things to check:

• Check for scorched tea towels or worktops in the kitchen

• Check your toaster isn't placed under kitchen cabinets or close to anything that can catch fire

• Check that your oven, hob, cooker hood and grill are clean and in good working order

• If you have a barbeque, make sure it stays outside, that it's positioned on level ground and kept well away from anything that may catch fire

Things to do:

• Clear away anything that may fall on the cooker and catch fire

• If you’re called away from cooking, make sure you turn the hobs and grill off first

• Clean your oven, cooker hood and grill of fat and grease

• Clear the crumbs from the toaster as these can cause a build-up and catch fire

• Don’t be tempted to use a barbeque on a balcony

Things you might choose to buy:

• Buy a heat alarm and test it monthly – you can order these online

• Buy a CO alarm for your kitchen if you have a gas or solid fuel cooker or boiler in the room

Walk around your home and see if you can spot any candles, incense or naked flames.

Things to check:

• Check that candles, incense and oil burners are held firmly in heat resistant holders and placed on a stable surface

• Check that these items are out of reach of children and pets

• Check that these items are kept away from materials that may catch fire, such as curtains, furnishings or clothes

• Candles are naked flames - check that candles are a safe distance away from anyone who uses emollient creams, as these are flammable

Things to do:

• Replace your candles with 'flameless' candles (also known as battery-operated or LED candles)

• Move incense and candles away from anything that could catch fire

• Place candles, incense and oil burners in heat resistant holders and place these on a stable surface

• Move candles out of reach of children and pets

Things you might choose to buy:

• Flameless LED candles

• Heat resistant candle holders

If that’s the case you can get advice from GOV.UK Try not to heat your home in an unsafe way.

Things to check:

• Check that any portable heaters are kept clear of furniture and away from bedclothes and curtains

• Check that portable heaters are kept at least one metre away from any person

Things to do:

• Move portable heaters away from anything that can catch fire

• Move portable heaters a safe distance away from anyone in the room

• Remove any clothes drying on portable heaters

Things you might choose to buy:

• Buy a carbon monoxide alarm for any room that contains a solid fuel, gas or paraffin heater

Things to check:

• Check for any flammable items near your fireplace or log burner

• Check that your chimney and flue is clean and well maintained

• Check that any logs are stored away from solid fuel burners such as the fireplace

Things to do:

• Don’t light a fire in your fireplace if you haven’t been able to get your chimney and flue cleaned (once a year, or twice if you’re burning logs)

• Remove any clothes drying by your fireplace

Things you might choose to buy:

• Buy a fireguard to protect against flying sparks and hot embers

• Carbon monoxide alarm (for every room containing a gas appliance, fuel burner or paraffin heater)

Have a good look around your home at the plug sockets, chargers and any wiring you can see, and visit our Total Recalls page.

Things to check:

• Check that none of the electrical sockets in your home are overloaded

• Check that your white goods (such as your dishwasher or tumble dryer) are properly registered and haven't been recalled

• Check that all your appliances have a British or European safety mark

• Check that your electrics are clean and in good working order

• Check for any loose or dangerous wiring around your home (look out for scorch marks, flickering lights, hot plugs and sockets, fuses that blow or circuit-breakers that trip for no obvious reason)

Things to do:

• Throw out any chargers that either didn't come with the device or that are not genuine replacements

• Empty the fluff from your tumble dryer following the manufacturer's instructions

Things you might choose to buy:

• Genuine replacement charger

• Fused 'in-line' adaptors – these are the extension cables that have the sockets in a line, not on a cube

Things to check:

• Check that any outdoor heaters are placed at least three feet away from anything combustible such as fences, sheds and overhanging trees

• Check that any gas powered heaters are kept well away from cylinders

• Check that your heaters are secure using sandbags, water weights or any fireproof stabilisers

• Check that any connecting hoses and cylinders aren’t damaged and make sure there aren’t any frayed connecting wires

Things to do:

• Make sure your heaters are on level ground and can’t tip over

• Secure outdoor heaters from any harsh weather (strong wind and heavy rain)

• Make sure you routinely maintain your heaters and cylinders to ensure they’re safe

Things to Buy:

• Weights to keep your heaters stable, such as a fireproof stabiliser, water weights or sandbags

That’s even more important if you are feeling unwell - when you might be less able to react or escape from a fire.

Things to check:

• Check you have smoke alarms in every bedroom, living room and home office (including any room someone is self-isolating in)

• Check you have a heat alarm in your kitchen

• Check all your alarms have a 10 year or long-lasting sealed battery

Things to do:

• Test all your smoke alarms now

• Put a reminder in your calendar to regularly check your smoke alarms

• Ask your telecare provider (if you have one) to link your telecare system to your smoke alarms

Things you might choose to buy:

• Smoke alarms

• A heat alarm for the kitchen – the alarm will sound if an increase in heat is detected, but not if you burn the toast

Think about how you would leave your home if there was a fire. Consider your route in the middle of the night, and how it might be different during the day if you're all in different parts of your home.

Things to check:

• Check everyone in the home knows what to do in an emergency

• Check everyone knows where the door keys are kept overnight

• Check that all ground and first floor windows can be opened

• Check that all the ways in and out of your home are kept clear of anything that may slow down or block your escape

Things to do:

• Clear your escape routes of any obstacles

• Make an escape plan and practise it with your household

Many fires happen at night, when most people are sleeping. You can further reduce the risk in your house by carrying out some simple checks before you go to bed.

Things to check:

• Check all electrical items are turned off before you go to bed, unless they're designed to be left on.

• Check that your washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher aren't left on overnight

Things to do:

• Place the keys for all external doors where everyone can get to them

• Close all the doors in your home before you to go bed