- Intro
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SMOKE & HEAT
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COOKING & KITCHEN
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SMOKING & CANDLES
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ELECTRICAL & HEATING
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EMOLLIENT CREAMS
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MEDICAL OXYGEN
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AIR PRESSURE MATTRESS
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NIGHT TIME ROUTINE
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FIRE ACTION PLAN
- Done
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FIRE SAFETY
IN THE HOME
SELF ASSESSMENTWhen answering each question, you will get some useful tips for each topic. Once you have completed the questions, you can download a bespoke PDF that provides additional advice and links to further information. If you feel that you require further, more detailed advice, you can request a free Home Fire Safety Visit from our trained crews.
To book a Home Fire Safety Visit please call us on: 0800 0731 999
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1. Smoke and Heat Detection
Smoke and heat alarms provide an essential life-saving warning if fire breaks out. Make sure your home has working alarms.
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1.1 Do you have working smoke AND heat detectors in your home?
Be aware that there is a new Standard that is coming into place in February 2021. The standard requires:
- One smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes
- One smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings
- One heat alarm installed in every kitchen
If your home is on one level – a flat or bungalow – you need to fit at least two smoke alarms. If your home has more than one level you'll need one on each floor, plus the living room.
All alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked.
You should have a carbon monoxide detector fitted in any room where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance (such as boilers, fires (including open fires), heaters and stoves) or a flue.
You should have one smoke alarm in the hallway of each level in your home. If you smoke in bed or in the living room, or there are specific fire risks, then smoke alarms should be fitted in these rooms too. It is good practice to have a heat alarm in the kitchen.
SFRS can provide detection (but not a full HFSV at this time). Please call us on the number above
If your home is on one level – a flat or bungalow – you need to fit at least two smoke alarms. If your home has more than one level you'll need one on each floor, plus the living room.
All alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked.
You should have a carbon monoxide detector fitted in any room where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance (such as boilers, fires (including open fires), heaters and stoves) or a flue.
Be aware that there is a new Standard that is coming into place in February 2021. The standard requires:
- One smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes
- One smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings
- One heat alarm installed in every kitchen
If your home is on one level – a flat or bungalow – you need to fit at least two smoke alarms. If your home has more than one level you'll need one on each floor, plus the living room.
All alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked.
You should have a carbon monoxide detector fitted in any room where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance (such as boilers, fires (including open fires), heaters and stoves) or a flue.
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1.2 Are the detectors tested on a weekly basis?
Alarms should be tested once a week to ensure that they are working. Alarms should be cleaned - the slots and casing should be vacuumed and wiped to ensure that dust doesn't block the sensor chamber.
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1.3 Do you have a Telecare/Community Alarm in your home?
Your provider should be regularly testing and maintaining the system in your home. If there are any issues with your system then get in contact with the provider. If fire detection is not part of the system, you may want to investigate adding this with your provider.
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2. Cooking and Kitchen Safety
Kitchen fires are the number one cause of house fires in Scotland.
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2.1 Does anyone who cooks in the home leave cooking unattended?
Cooking even the simplest hot meal, when not concentrating can cause fire or injury. Distraction is one of the main reasons that fires start. Don't leave cooking unattended.
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2.2 Does anyone in your home use a traditional chip pan, wok or Karahi
Oil pan fires are one of the largest causes of fire-related injuries in the home, often leading to casualties or fatalities. Never overfill oil pans with oil, and always be in the kitchen when they are being used.
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2.3 Is your oven / grill, clean from excess grease or fat build up?
Grease and fat build up can spontaneously combust if the temperature gets high enough. Keep your hobs and grills free from a build-up of grease.
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2.4 Is there anything that could burn easily next to your cooker or hob?
Keeping this area clear of combustible materials like tea towels or kitchen roll will stop them catching fire.
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2.5 Does anyone cook under the influence of alcohol, drugs and prescription drugs that make you feel drowsy?
We recommend that cooking should never take place when under the influence of alcohol, drugs and prescription drugs that make you feel drowsy.
The NHS recommends not regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week. If you drink as much as 14 units a week, it's best to spread this evenly over three or more days. 14 units is equivalent to 6 pints of beer, 6 glasses of wine or 14 single measures of spirits.
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3. Smoking and Candle Safety
Cigarettes and smoking materials such as matches are the number one cause of fatal house fires in Scotland.
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3.1 Does anyone in your home smoke Cigarettes?
If you smoke, smoke outside, at an open external door or window.
Stub out all cigarettes and always empty ashtrays. Pour water over cigarette ends before putting them in the bin outside.
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3.2 Does anyone in your home smoke E-Cigarettes?
E-cigarettes should always be charged following manufacturer's instructions. Always buy replacement chargers from a reputable retailer.
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3.3 Does anyone smoke under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs that make you drowsy?
Alcohol and drugs can make people feel tired and drowsy. If this is the case, smoke outside your home or standing at an open window/external door.
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3.4 Does anyone smoke while they are in bed?
Never smoke in bed and avoid smoking on armchairs and sofas – especially if sleepy.
Extra care should be taken if using paraffin-based creams, home oxygen or air flow mattresses.
A smoke alarm should be fitted in this room.
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3.5 Are there signs of burn marks on floor coverings, clothing or furniture?
Always use a proper ashtray and empty it regularly. If you have trouble seeing the ashtray, then a metal bin can be used. Never stub-out cigarettes on furniture or on the carpet.
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3.6 Are cigarettes, lighters and matches stored safely away from children?
Lighters and other sources of ignition can encourage children's curiosity if not kept in a safe and secure location.
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3.7 Does anyone burn candles, tea lights incense or use oil burners in your home?
Always use proper holders for candles, tea lights, oil and incense burners. Never leave them burning while you are asleep or if you leave the house.
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4. Electrical and Home Heating safety
A large number of fires start every year when sockets are overloaded or electrical appliances are left on. You should always make sure you are keeping safe when keeping warm.
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4.1 Does anyone leave any of these items running when you go to bed at night?
Tumbler Dryer / Dishwasher / Washing MachineWashing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers have moving parts that heat up, any of which could start a fire if something goes wrong.
If your washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher is in use there should be someone in the house; fully awake. Turn off before you go to bed and don't run if you are asleep.
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4.2 Does anyone leave any of the following electrical items plugged in at night?
Laptop / Games Console / Mobile Phone Charger / E-Cigarette / Plug-in Air FreshenerSwitch off and unplug all electrical appliances not designed to be left on overnight as they could overheat and catch fire.
Never leave appliances in ‘Standby' or ‘Sleep Mode'. Never overcharge mobile phones or use when charging. When you are using a laptop make sure it is placed on a hard surface.
With more people being at home, extra care should be taken in children's bedrooms and parts of the home used for home working to ensure that electrical items are switched off.
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4.3 Do you use square block adapters / extension leads in your home?
SFRS does not recommend the use of block adapters. Due to the weight of plugs they can become loose from the socket and cause arcing which may cause the adaptor to overheat and catch fire.
Ensure that extension leads are not joined together, also known as ‘daisy chaining'.
Never use more than one adaptor in each socket and ensure sockets are not overloaded. Appliances connected should never use more than 13 amps in total.
Ensure all cable reels are fully unwound before use.
SFRS recommends the use of a multi-socket extension lead with surge and overload protection.
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4.4 Does anyone in your home use electrical blankets?
Electrical blankets should always be used as per manufacturer's instructions and stored flat when not in use.
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4.5 In your home are there any signs of faulty or damaged wiring on appliances?
Never use an appliance that has signs of faulty wiring or is showing damage / discolouring to the plug.
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4.6 Do you use portable heaters such as fan heaters, ceramic heaters, gas heaters, paraffin heaters in your home?
Always ensure portable heaters are used as per manufacturer's instructions. Always use on a flat surface, and never dry clothes close to the appliance.
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4.7 Is a wood burning stove or open coal fire used in your home?
Always use safely and burn the type of fuel recommended.
The type of fuel burned in a fire determines how often the chimney should be swept. Where smokeless coals are burned, the chimney should be swept at least once each year, while fires burning bituminous coal or peat need to have the chimney swept twice each year. A chimney serving a fire where wood is burned should be swept quarterly when it is in use.
There is a requirement for carbon monoxide detectors to be fitted where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance (such as boilers, fire (including open fires, heaters and stoves) or a flue.
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5. Emollient Creams Safety
These are moisturisers that can be used to prevent or treat dry skin conditions like such as Eczema, bed sores, ulcers and psoriasis.
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5.1 Does anyone in your home use emollient creams?
Make sure you change clothing and bedding regularly, preferably daily because emollients soak into fabric and can become a fire hazard.
Wash these items at 60 degrees to minimise the build-up of impregnated paraffin.
It is extremely important not to smoke if you are using emollient creams as they make your clothing and bedding extremely flammable.
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6. Medical Oxygen Safety
Used by people with severe respiratory conditions, oxygen therapy provides air that contains more oxygen than normal. Specialist equipment (which can include cylinders and portable units) is used to pipe medical oxygen through either a nasal cannula or face mask to the patient.
Unfortunately, the addition of concentrated oxygen into the room, surrounding environment or clothing / bedding will greatly increase the intensity of a fire should one start.
When using medical oxygen your hair, clothes, seats and carpets can become enriched with oxygen. It only needs an ignition source, such as someone smoking or an electrical fault, to start a fire.
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6.1 Does anyone in your home use medical oxygen?
Don't charge electronic devices (such as phones, tablets, laptops, electronic cigarettes or games consoles) in rooms where oxygen is being used or stored.
Use in well ventilated areas. Keep internal doors open and store cylinders away from flammable materials.
Don't cook whilst using portable oxygen units.
Stay away from naked flames e.g. open fires, candles, lit matches, lighters or birthday cakes.
Never leave the oxygen supply running when it is not being used.
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6.2 Does anyone in your home smoke cigarettes?
Don't smoke or use electronic cigarettes in the home even when used at low flows. This also includes anyone in the vicinity.
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6.3 Does anyone in your home use emollient creams?
Never use oil-based creams and moisturisers when using or handling oxygen equipment.
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7. Air Pressure Relieving Mattresses Safety
These items are used for the prevention and treatment of pressure sores and ulcers that can be caused by extended periods of immobility. The mattress is filled with air by a pump which adjusts pressure according to the patient's needs.
Keep ignition sources such as candles, incense sticks or oil burners away from air pressure relieving mattresses, if punctured by a heat source the escaping airflow could cause a fire which would spread rapidly. The emergency battery backup may continue to pump air which can cause a fire to burn longer.
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7.1 Does anyone in your home use an air pressure relieving mattresses or overlay?
Keep fires and heaters away from air pressure mattresses.
Never use an electric blanket on an air pressure mattress.
Never place hot items like hairdryers or hair straighteners on airflow mattresses.
Ensure that electrical equipment is well maintained and kept a safe distance from airflow mattresses.
Never smoke in bed or near an air pressure mattress.
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8. Night-time Routine
Having a night-time routine helps to reduce the chances of fire happening in your home and helps protect your escape route if there is a fire.
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8.1 Do you have a night-time routine?
Your night- time routine should include:
- Close all interior doors before going to bed. Each door can prevent fire spreading for up to 20 minutes, giving everyone in your home time to evacuate safely and call the Fire and Rescue Service on 999.
- Make sure escape routes are kept clear of anything that may slow down or block exit routes.
- Switch off and unplug all electrical appliances not designed to be left on overnight.
- Stub out all cigarettes and always empty ashtrays. Pour water over cigarette ends before putting them in the bin outside.
- If you have candles lit, remember to extinguish them properly
- Put fireguards around open fires. Don't build up the fire before you go to bed.
- Switch off portable heaters.
- Make sure the main door keys are to hand.
- Keep mobility aids and any methods of calling for help close to hand (e.g. mobile phone, link alarm/pendant).
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9. Fire Action Plan
When at home, it's important that you and your family know how to escape if there's a fire. It doesn't take long to make an escape plan and it could save lives; especially if you check and practice your plan regularly.
Research has shown that children can remain asleep when smoke alarms are sounding. Ensure that any sleeping children have been roused from sleep.
People may need assistance due to:
- Mobility problems: due to a disability and/or other physical impairments
- Impaired comprehension: which may or may not be associated with a learning disability/difficulty or Dementia or Alzheimer's
- Sensory impairment: Visual, hearing, smell and/or cannot feel their feet or fingers
- Medication: Some can have side effects and make people tired/drowsy or affect the ability to react in an emergency situation
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9.1 In the event of a fire in your home, do you have a fire action plan?
Everyone living in your home should be aware of this plan.Plan A
The first-choice route of escape is always through the main door. Make sure you close it once everyone is out.
Plan B
If it's not safe to leave by the main door, how else could you escape?
- Is there another door or fire escape you could use?
- Could you climb out of a ground floor window?
- Could you climb out of a first-floor window onto a garage roof or extension and get down safely?
If Plan A or B are not safe, you might need to find somewhere to stay safe and await rescue. Make sure everything is ready so that you can:
- Go to a room with a phone and a window that opens
- Pack clothes and blankets around the door to keep smoke out
- Stay by the window and shout “Fire” for help
Your night- time routine should include:
- Close all interior doors before going to bed. Each door can prevent fire spreading for up to 20 minutes, giving everyone in your home time to evacuate safely and call the Fire and Rescue Service on 999.
- Make sure escape routes are kept clear of anything that may slow down or block exit routes.
- Switch off and unplug all electrical appliances not designed to be left on overnight.
- Stub out all cigarettes and always empty ashtrays. Pour water over cigarette ends before putting them in the bin outside.
- If you have candles lit, remember to extinguish them properly
- Put fireguards around open fires. Don't build up the fire before you go to bed.
- Switch off portable heaters.
- Make sure the main door keys are to hand.
- Keep mobility aids and any methods of calling for help close to hand (e.g. mobile phone, link alarm/pendant).
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Done
Thank you for taking the time to fill our Fire Safety in the Home - Self Assessment.
Using your answers from this form, we have created a personalised Safety Advice PDF.
Please use the button below to download a copy: