Alcohol and Smoking
In Scotland, most fatal fires are started by smoking. You can cut the chances of this happening to you.
VIDEO
Put it out - right out!
Cigarette ends can smoulder for ages if not put out properly.
Do
Stub cigarettes out properly in an ashtray – make sure there’s no smoke
Pour water on cigar and cigarette ends before putting in a bin – ideally an outside bin
Never
Leave a cigarette, cigar or pipe unattended
Balance cigars or cigarettes on the edge of an ashtray or anything else – they can tip and fall as they burn away
Empty a pipe into a bin – the ember can still be very hot even if it’s not smoking
Ashtrays
Using a proper ashtray is a good start to stopping fires from smoking.
Empty and clean your ashtray regularly
Douse with water before putting the contents of the ashtray in the bin
Empty into a metal bin outside if you can
Keep paper, wrappers and other rubbish that could catch light out of your ashtray
Alcohol and sleepiness
Many fires started by cigarettes happen to people who have also been drinking and are sleepy.
Take extra care if you’ve been drinking alcohol
Never smoke in bed
Don’t smoke in your chair if you’ve been drinking or you’re feeling sleepy
If you do feel sleepy, smoke outside, standing up or at a window or outside door
Matches and lighters
Starting fires is what matches and lighters are for. Make sure they only start the ones you want. Here’s how:
Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children, and away from heat sources
Teach children not to play with matches and lighters
Teach children to hand any matches or lighters they find to a responsible adult
Buy safety matches (ones that only strike on the box)
Buy lighters with safety locks and that go out when you let go of them
Make sure matches are out before you put them down
Make sure lighters are out properly before putting them down
Don’t throw used matches straight in the bin
Put used matches in an ashtray or a metal or ceramic plate and empty it regularly
Get a flameless ‘spark’ lighter to light gas stoves and heaters