Fires

Domestic fires pose a significant risk to children. Children playing with matches and lighters frequently start house fires.

The youngest children often hide from the danger and may not be found until it's too late.

The following points are important safety precautions to prevent a fire starting while you sleep and ensure you and your child don't breathe in poisonous smoke:

• Fit smoke alarms on every level of your home.
• Test smoke alarms regularly and change the batteries every year. Even better, get alarms that have 10-year batteries or are wired into the mains or plug into light sockets.
• Switch off electrical items before you go to bed and close all doors to contain a potential fire.
• Work out an escape plan for your family and tell your children what to do in case of a fire. Practise the plan regularly.
• Always use a fireguard on an open fireplace and make sure it's attached to the wall. Don't lean or hang anything from it.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.
• Extinguish and dispose of cigarettes carefully, particularly at night. 

Last updated: 01 May 2015