Fire Safety in the Home

There may be different occasions, events or seasons that bring fire safety more to the forefront of our mind. It may also be that some generations have varying concerns over what may cause a fire.

More than one in five, of the 2,000 nationally representative UK adults in our survey, previously experienced a fire in their home, 15% of which happened in the last 12 months. ^{Footnote [1]}   

And this may be generational. More than four in ten aged 25-34 experienced a home fire, compared to 33% of those aged 18-24 and only 9% of those aged 55+. ^{Footnote [1]}   

Of those who experienced a house fire, the top causes are: ^{Footnote [1]}  

• candles
• the toaster
• leaving an item to cook unattended
• a heater, such as a fireplace or portable heater
• an air fryer.

However, the main causes of a fire differ across generations. While candles are the most common fire starter for those aged 45-54, this decreases to 10% for those aged 55 or over. Heaters are the most common cause for 35-44-year-olds and its toasters for those aged 25-34. For the youngest generation in our survey (18-24), air fryers, candles and hair heating devices tie for the most cited cause. ^{Footnote [1]}  

And while more than half of UK adults admit to worrying more about fire safety during different times or occasions in the year, this increases to around 72% for those aged 25–34. ^{Footnote [1]}  

Overall, our survey participants worry more during: ^{Footnote [1]}  

• Christmas time - whether you choose a plastic or real Christmas tree, make sure it's placed away from heat, flames or an exit. If you've chosen a real tree, make sure it is watered well. For either type of tree, make sure your Christmas lights are in good working order and that they're switched off when unattended. ^{Footnote [5]}  
• Bonfire Night - to help make sure your Bonfire Night is fire safe, make sure to build your bonfire well clear of any buildings, sheds, hedges or fences. ^{Footnote [6]}  
• Cold weather - with the increase of heaters or open fires, you can help reduce fire risks by keeping at least one metre away from heaters and making sure all open fires are supervised. ^{Footnote [7]} 
• BBQ season - enjoy some delicious grilled goods and keep safe by always supervising your BBQ grill. Also, make sure the BBQ is on even ground and with plenty of space around it. ^{Footnote [8]}  

Yet, for those who are worried about home fires, that doesn’t mean they lack confidence in their knowledge of fire safety. 

Test your smoke alarm once every month, as a minimum, advises the Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority. ^{Footnote [2]}  “An average of 90 people die each year,” says the Authority “due to the battery in their alarm being flat or missing.” ^{Footnote [2]}  

With 73% of those surveyed having a working smoke detector, it's important to maintain them regularly so they're effective when you need them. Of the latter, 13% have a working smoke detector but not on every level of their home. ^{Footnote [1]}  

The Authority advise testing smoke detectors weekly (ideally) by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds. Yet only 16% of our survey participants test their alarms once a week or more, 41% check theirs fewer than once every three months and a further 7% never check them. ^{Footnote [1]} Also, pop a notification into your calendar to change the battery once a year, unless it's a ten year alarm and vacuum (or dust) the alarm once every three months. ^{Footnote [2]}