Did you know?

• 5000 fires a year are caused by faulty electric blankets
• In the UK on average 12,000 chimney fires occur every year

During the Winter we need to keep warm whilst keeping safe, below are a few tips to keep you safe at 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 cleaned and well maintained.

Using portable heaters
• Keep heaters away from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes
• 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.

Keeping warm
• 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.
• Test electric blankets every 3 years.
• Try not to but second-hand blankets and check regularly for wear and tear. Replace your blanket when it is more than 10 years old.

If the electricity fails
• 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 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 and emergency call if there is a power cut.