General fire safety advice
Most fires in the home can be prevented by taking some precautions.
Get a smoke alarm
Smoke alarms detect fires early, giving you extra time to escape and potentially saving your lift.
You can buy battery operated smoke alarms from supermarkets and DIY stores, and the London Fire Brigade carry out free home safety fire visits and fit smoke alarms for free if you need them.
If you have difficulty hearing, you can buy a smoke alarm that has a vibrating pad or a flashing light. To find out more, visit Action on Hearing Loss.
Remember:
- test your alarm weekly to check it works
- place your alarm on the ceiling in a hallway. Do not put a smoke alarm in a kitchen or in a bathroom
- if your home has more than one floor, put a smoke alarm on each landing
Know your fire plan
Knowing what to do in the event of a fire is just as important as knowing how to prevent them.
If the fire is in your flat
If a fire starts in your flat, you need to get everyone safely out. The London Fire Brigade video below gives you advice on planning your best escape route.
Some homes offer multiple escape routes. Where the front door is usually the main or preferred route of escape, your secondary escape route may be the balcony at the back of your home.
If the fire is not in your flat
If the fire is not in your flat, make sure you know your fire plan.
Often the best option is to stay indoors and call the fire brigade.
Keep escape routes clear
Make sure all exits inside and outside your home, including corridors, landings and stairwells are clear of obstructions, such as bicycles, pushchairs or bulky waste.
Items like these can stop you getting out in the event of a fire, and prevent firefighters tackling a fire.
Get a home fire safety visit
The London Fire Brigade carry out free home safety visits for people and places where there is a higher risk of fire, for example, older people, especially those living alone, those with mobility, vision and hearing impairment.
They will visit you at home to offer advice on how to make your home safe and fit smoke alarms for free if you need them.
Complete a home fire safety visit request form or contact the London Fire Brigade on 0800 0284428.
Fire safety tips
Below are some more tips to keep your home safe. The London Fire Brigade also provide valuable fire safety advice.
- unplug electrical items when not in use
- don’t overload electrical sockets
- only use electrical appliances with a UK and EU safety mark
- close internal doors at night and when not at home
- don’t leave candles unattended, and make sure they’re completely extinguished when you’ve finished using them
- leave hair straighteners to cool on a heatproof surface
- do not store flammable or explosive substances in your home
- do not overload your sockets – check using the socket overload calculator