Security against fires

One of the most dangerous risks that your property is insured against, fire is one of the biggest killers in the home. Over 400 people are killed annually in house fires and 12,500 are injured.

All building insurance policies should protect against fire damage. Most fires are caused by cooking and by burning cigarettes. Fires caused by cigarettes can be prevented by taking a few simple precautions. These include:

• Never smoke in bed.
• Never leave lit cigarettes lying around.
• Always use a proper ashtray and make sure it can't be knocked over.
• Take special care when you are tired or when you've been drinking.
• Keep matches and lighters away from children.
• Fit and maintain a smoke alarm.

Some simple steps to avoid cooking accidents include:

• Do not leave cooking unattended.
• Keep children and household pets out of harms way when cooking.
• Be aware of the potential dangers of clothing catching fire while cooking.
• Take extra care when cooking, especially when using grills and open top fat or chip pans.
• Use thermostatically controlled cooking appliances, or safer alternative products such as oven chips in place of traditional chip pans.
• Be aware of the potential dangers of cooking and frying when under the influence of alcohol.

Other fire safety tips include:

• Keep doors closed at night
• Check the home is safe before going to bed
• Remember that smoke rises - the cleanest air will be near the floor.

To minimise the risk of death from fire, make sure you have a fire action plan. This should include all the following:

• Identify all practical routes out of the house
• Take everyone, especially children and elderly relatives, into account
• Keep door and window keys where everyone can get to them quickly
• Install a smoke alarm on every floor
• Practice your Fire Action Plan