Winter fire safety

Keep yourself warm over the winter months and protect yourself from the threat of fires in the home.

Following the advice below may help you to reduce the risk of having a fire in your home this winter.

Open fires

Be careful when using open fires to keep warm. Make sure you always use a fire guard to protect against flying sparks from hot embers.
Make sure embers are under control and properly put out before you go to bed.
Keep chimneys and flues clean and well maintained.

Keep heaters away from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying cloths.
Always unplug electric heaters when you go out or go to bed.
Try to secure heaters against a wall to stop them falling over.
Only use gas or paraffin heaters in well ventilated areas. Heaters consume oxygen so you could suffocate if a room is not properly aired.

Never use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric blanket, even if the blanket is switched off.
Unplug blankets before you get into bed, unless they have a thermostat control for safe all-night use.
Don’t leave electric blankets folded as this damages the internal wiring. Store them flat or rolled up instead.
Try not to buy second-hand blankets and check regularly for wear and tear. Replace your blanket when it is more than 10 years old.
Look out for the following symbols which show a blanket is safe to use.
When storing electric blankets make sure they are either flat or rolled up.

Keep a battery operated light or torch handy in the event of a power cut or failure.
If you have to use candles or matches always take special care. Put them out completely before leaving the room or going to bed.
Use a snuffer or a spoon to put out candles. It’s safer than blowing them out when sparks can fly.
Make sure candles are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains.
Keep a mobile phone handy so you can still make an emergency call if there is a power cut.

For more information about fire safety or to request a free home fire safety assessment free phone our Community Safety number 08000 325 999.

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Risk Reduction Team
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue
Rewley Rd Fire Station
Oxford OX1 2EH

Phone 08000 325999
Email the team

Community Safety Helpline
08000 325999

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