Hopefully you’ll have adequate insurance in case of disaster of theft. In 2011 the average pay out for loss due to fire was £10,200 – which was more than theft from the home. So it’s certainly worth looking into your insurance to ensure you’re covered in the event of a fire.

Obviously fire is extremely destructive and will damage or destroy most items and structures in your home or office. Insurance is all well and good, but many domestic or office fires are avoidable.

 

Here’s our home and office guide to avoiding an unnecessary fire

1. Make sure your electrics are safe

Broken electrical cords or poorly-wired plugs are a common cause of domestic fire. Mice and other rodents are often the cause of house fires when they chew through cables – but faulty kettles and toasters are not innocent either.

Check all your electrical appliances regularly. Business must have all their appliances checked on a yearly basis. Broken cables, cords and plugs are simple to fix but can easily start a fire, so monitor them carefully.

 

2. Don’t overload extension cables and wall sockets

Running too many electrical appliances from one socket or plugging in too many appliances to an extension cord can overload them. Overloading power supplies is a quick and easy way to make them hot and that can lead to fire. Follow the guidelines with your home or office electrics – they’re there for a reason.

 

3. Give warm-running appliances some room to breathe

Plenty of electrical items will run at a high temperature as standard. Computers have fans, as do games consoles. Although this equipment is designed to cool itself you should give them the best chance possible. Leave space around them and don’t let the dust build up.

 

4. Unplug hot kitchen appliances

Coffee pots and hot plates are easy to forget and leave on. Create a ‘closing up procedure’ that won’t let you forget to turn off these very hot and volatile home and office items. That goes for straighteners and candles too.

 

5. Turn off your office heater or fans

No matter what the weather is like we always seem to need an appliance to help us feel more comfortable at home or in the office. Make sure when you leave that you turn off the fan or the stand-alone heater. Don’t leave them alone to get hot and into trouble – and never leave a heater backed up against a wall as it could overwork it.

 

6. Keep kitchen appliances in the kitchen

Toasters, kettles, coffee pots and sandwich makers are designed to be used in the kitchen. Don’t be tempted to have boiling water, heated elements or hot plates on your desk or in the bedroom. Generally speaking, the kitchen is far better equipped to deal with these items.

 

7. Chip pan fires – still a huge cause of fires

It’s an old one but they’re still a big cause of home fires. If possible just don’t use them. Deep fat frying is bad for your health and devastating for your home. Never leave one unattended, and if it does catch fire unplug it and cover the fire with a damp cloth. Don’t throw water over it!

 

8. Smoking – keep it outside

Smoking in the workplace in the UK is now illegal but in your home you are allowed to smoke inside. Discarded cigarettes or poorly distinguished ones are often the cause of house fires. Smoking is one of the main causes of fires in the home – take it outside and put it out – right out!

 

9. Keep it tidy in your home or office

Paper towels, oily rags, old food containers and even tissues are a fire risk. Keep your home and office tidy and don’t give fire an extra chance. Waste bins with a secure lid are also a good idea and locking your wheelie bin away is recommended to stop potential arson attacks.

 

10. Learn how to use a fire extinguisher

Most businesses and some homes have a fire extinguisher but not everyone knows how to use one. Learn how to use one before you actually need to use one:

 

• Pull the pin out from the top of the extinguisher.
• Aim at the BASE of the fire, not the flames. It’s a common misconception that you should aim for the flames.
• Squeeze the lever slowly. This will start releasing the foam or water (dependent on the type of extinguisher) and will stop if you release it.
• Sweep from side to side. The use a sweeping motion back and forth working at the base of the fire from the front to the back until the fire is out.

Clearly you should only attempt this if you feel competent, and you shouldn’t put yourself at any risk. Always call the fire brigade if you’re in any doubt.

 

11. Fit fire doors and keep them closed

Fire doors are designed to keep out fire for up to one hour, but only when they’re shut! Don’t be tempted to wedge open fire doors as this will soon become the norm and you won’t notice it. Then, if a fire does break out when you’re not around the door will be as much use as a normal door.

 

12. Keep a clear exit

In the event that you don’t stop a fire from happening and you can’t put it out you’ll need a swift and safe exit. Keep your hallways and stairways clear from clutter. Storing boxes, bikes, coats and other items in your fire exit routes is illegal and dangerous.

 

13. Buy a fire safe

If a fire does break out you must leave the premises immediately and leave all your belongings behind. Valuable items are important, but not as important as your life.

That said, we know that many items in your home or office are irreplaceable and insurance won’t always compensate for their loss in a fire. Even a good quality safe won’t protect your goods in a fire.

Buying a fire safe will ensure that your valuable documents or data will be safe in the event of a fire, leaving you free to make a safe exit while the fire crew put out the fire.

 

Be vigilant – avoid unnecessary fires

Above all else, remember that many fires are avoidable. Apart from arson, home and office fires are usually started by accident and are the fault or poor maintenance or lack of care. Electrical fires or kitchen fires are common but not unavoidable. Keep your maintenance up-to-date and always have a safe exit planned should the worst happen.