Fire safety

Smoke alarms

• Put one in every bedroom, hallway, and living area.
• Press the test button every month.
• Use long-life photoelectric alarms if you can.
• Never take the battery out to stop it going off while cooking. Open a window instead.

Escape plan

1. Draw your home and mark two ways out of every room.
2. Pick a safe meeting place outside, like the letterbox.
3. Keep keys near locked doors and windows.
4. Practise with everyone in the house, including at night.
5. Once you're out, stay out, and call 111.

Kitchen

• Keep looking while you're cooking. Turn it off if you leave the room.
• If a pan catches fire, turn off the heat and slide a lid over it. Never throw water on it.
• Keep tea towels and packaging away from the stovetop.

Heating and power

• Keep anything that can burn a metre away from heaters.
• Get your chimney cleaned every year before winter.
• Don't overload multiboxes or run cords under rugs.
• Turn off electric blankets before you get into bed.

Outdoors

• Check the fire season before lighting anything.
• Keep barbecues away from fences, trees, and the house.
• Put campfires out with water until the ashes are cold to touch.

Vehicles

• If you see smoke from under the bonnet, pull over, turn off the engine, and get everyone out.
• Move well away from the vehicle and call 111.
• Don't park on long dry grass. Hot exhausts can set it alight.