Fire

General Fire Safety*

Fire Safety is for EVERYONE

Take a minute to remember the 3 Golden Rules that can keep you and your family safe from fire:

Prevention: The best way to be FIRE SAFE is to make sure that fires never happen.
Detection: A fire alarm that works will give you time to get everyone out of the home.
Evacuation: Get out and stay out! Help everyone leave in a calm and safe manner.

Prevention

Here are some tips to improve fire safety in the Kitchen

• Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children
• Keep cookers clean. Grease can be a fire risk
• Turn off the cooker when not in use
• Never allow electrical cables to run across a cooker (electric kettles, toasters)
• Never hang tea towels or clothing near cookers
• Gas cookers and boilers need fresh air to work correctly. Never block up vents
• Never deep fat fry in saucepans
• Never walk away from a chip pan or deep fat fryer
• Make sure your fire blanket is close at hand
• Read the instructions on the fire blanket case
• If you have a balcony, do not use barbeques, patio heaters or gas cylinders on the balcony.

Here are some tips to improve fire safety in the Living Room

• It is very important that the door to the living room and all doors of the house are closed before going to bed. If there is a fire, this will slow down the spread of fire and smoke
• Make sure electrical appliances are properly maintained and installed by a qualified professional
• Never overload electric sockets – this is a major fire hazard
• Unplug all electrical appliances before going to bed
• Contact an electrician if cables are worn or damaged or simply replace the item.

Here are some tips to improve fire safety in the Bedroom

• Never smoke in bed
• Never use candles if you are tired
• Keep candles away from curtains, bedding and clothes
• Never place a portable heater close to a bed
• Always have a house phone or mobile phone beside the bed in case of an emergency
• Never leave your mobile phone charging overnight or when you go out.

Detection

Many fires happen at night while people are asleep. Smoke alarms give you early warning of a fire. This gives you time to act before you and your family are overcome by dangerous smoke and fumes.
Smoke alarms require very little maintenance but to ensure they operate when needed:

• Test the smoke alarm once a week by pushing and holding the test button until it beeps
• Hoover and brush the case every six months to get rid of dust
• Change the battery once a year
• Replace the smoke alarm every 10 years.

Evacuation

When fire breaks out it can spread very quickly. You and your family need to act quickly. Being prepared can save lives.
Here’s a Fire Drill you can use:

• Practice the fire drill until you know it inside out
• Close all doors behind you as you leave
• The stairs are your primary escape route – keep them clear
• If your clothes catch fire – Stop, Drop and Roll
• Do not re-enter the house for any reason. Remember Get Out and Stay Out!
• Phone the fire brigade from outside your home
• Decide on a meeting point outside the home near where the fire brigade will arrive.

If you cannot leave your home because of the smoke or fire, here is what to do:

• Seal off the gaps in the door openings with sheets or towels to stop smoke from entering
• Get down on the floor where the air is cleaner and cooler
• Open the window and call for help.

Nightly Checks

• Are all cigarettes / candles out?
• Have you unplugged all electrical appliances, televisions, dryers etc?
• Is the cooker off?
• Has the fire guard been placed in front of the open fire?
• Are all doors closed? Closing the door to each room will help stop smoke and flames from spreading if there is a fire.

Check this website for more information on Fire Safety: www.firesafetyweek.ie

Chimney Sweeping

Who is responsible for chimney sweeping? This depends on the heating system in your home. We will sweep your chimney every year if you have one of the following:

• a stove or range fitted by Clúid
• a back boiler
• an electric storage heating system with an open fire.

If you have gas / oil central heating or an electric heat pump, we assume that the open fire is only a secondary form of heating. That means you are responsible for sweeping the chimney if you use the open fire. It is important to have the chimney swept to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.