► Fire Safety

If you live in rented or shared accommodation there is a higher chance that you could have a fire. If you do both then the chances are higher still.

There are over 70,000 fires in peoples homes each year. Hundreds are killed and thousands injured.

Visit the Government fire safety webpages by clicking here to find loads more information on the dangers and what you can do to protect yourself.

Top safety tips on how to make your house a safe home:

Make a fire action plan so that everyone in your home knows how to escape if there is a fire
Keep the exits form your home clear so that people can escape if there is a fire. Make sure that everyone in your home can easily find keys for doors and windows
Take extra care in the kitchen - accidents while cooking account for over half of fires in homes - never leave young children alone in the kitchen
Take extra care when cooking with hot oil - consider buying a deep-fat fryer which is controlled by a thermostat
Never leave lit candles in rooms that nobody is in or in rooms where children are on their own - make sure candles are in secure holders on a surface that does not burn and are away from any materials that could burn
Make sure cigarettes are stubbed out properly, disposed of carefully and never smoke in bed
Get into the habit of closing doors at night - if you want to keep a child's bedroom door open, close the doors to the lounge and kitchen, it may well help save their life if there is a fire
Don't overload electrical sockets - remember one plug for one socket
Keep matches and lighters where children cannot see or reach them
Take special care when you are tired or when you've been drinking
Don't leave the TV or other electrical appliances on standby as this could cause a fire - always switch it off and unplug when not in use