Personal safety and security at home
We all want to feel relaxed in our own homes, so it pays to make sure you're tight on security and safety. There's no better time to review this objectively with a fresh pair of eyes than when you've just moved to a new property.
Fire
Smoke can kill in minutes so it's really important to take a few simple precautions to prevent a fire from breaking out and what to do if it does.
- Fit smoke alarms on each level in your home. Keep them free from dust and test them once a week. Consider buying a 10-year alarm; otherwise change the batteries in your alarm every year
- Keep a fire blanket in the kitchen. These are lightweight sheets of fire-resistant material, which are used to cover a fire to cut off its oxygen supply or to wrap around a person whose clothes are on fire. A blanket should meet British Standard BS EN 1869
- Mount a fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location. If a small fire starts and you have time to deal with it without putting yourself at risk, an extinguisher will enable you to put it out quickly and effectively
- Think about having sprinklers fitted that respond to high temperatures and are set off automatically
- Have an emergency exit plan and keep all exits clear of clutter and obstacles
- Keep your keys in the same place so you can escape quickly. You don't want to be hunting around in a smoky, dark house
- If you're leaving children at home on their own, leave them a note of your address and the number to call in an emergency. They may forget in a panic
- Be careful in the kitchen. This is where around half of all fires start. Never leave hot oil, in particular deep fat fryers, unattended. Replace open pans with a thermostatically controlled fryer
- Don't leave candles burning unattended. Make sure they're in a secure candle holder and on a heat-resistant surface
- Hide matches and lighters from children
- Make sure that cigarettes are stubbed out properly. Never leave them lit and walk away, and don't smoke in bed – it's easy to fall asleep and leave one lit!
- Don't leave electrical appliances switched on or on stand-by as this can start a fire. Don't overload sockets, just use one plug in each socket
- When you go to bed, shut all the doors if possible. That way if a fire breaks out, it will stop it spreading as quickly.
Carbon monoxide
Known as the 'silent killer', carbon monoxide given off by faulty gas appliances can cause neurological damage or at the very least make you feel ill. Unexplained illnesses, fatigue, muscle pains, upset stomach, lethargy, dizziness and headaches could all be a result of carbon monoxide gas in your home. If you're concerned, go to your doctor and get a CohB test.
- The most important precaution is to fit a carbon monoxide detector in an area near to gas appliances that will pick up low level leakages
- Check your chimney flue is clear of debris and drawing adequately
- If your appliances are giving off an orange flame, this is an indication that there's a problem
- Make sure your house has adequate ventilation such as window vents and air bricks
- Get your gas appliances checked annually.