As autumn turns into winter it’s a simple fact that we are at increased risk from fire in our homes. From October onwards we all spend many more hours indoors becoming increasingly reliant on heating and artificial light to ward off that drab winter feeling. It’s worth a few minutes to consider this change in life style and inherent fire risk it presents.

If I mention the term "Risk Assessment" no doubt many will feel it only applies at work, perhaps stops us doing what we’d really like to do or simply costs money. Well those doubters couldn’t be more wrong: applying a simple fire risk assessment process to your house today could save you and yours from disaster.

Take a few minutes to consider the following, jot a few notes if it helps?

Considering the basic fire triangle of fuel, heat (ignition source) and oxygen……….

I bet there’s loads…..wood, paper, plastics, textiles, mains gas etc.

In the trade we’d call this your ‘fireload’ and its extent will determine where and how fast any fire will develop.

Again there’ll be loads, matches, candles, electrical fittings and appliances, open or gas fires etc.

Now in order to reduce the likelihood of a fire starting try and keep the above apart, get rid of dangerous items, use safer alternatives or manage things carefully!

To reduce the effect or development of fire try to reduce the fireload in circulation areas such as hallways, landings and stairs.

To reduce ignition risk, make sure electrical or gas appliances are maintained, flexes fuses and flues/chimneys are correct, clean or in good order.

Keep naked flames such as candles or gas fires under control, keep kids and pets away, use your fire guard and allow convector heaters to breathe.

Then consider your escape……….

How will I know there’s a fire started? Have you a smoke alarm? When did you last test it, vacuum the dust out or change the battery?

Have you an escape plan? Can everyone get out especially anyone upstairs? Does everyone know what the plan is?

If there’s a power cut (and we all know there will be at some point!)

Have I got torches available? (A plug in lamp that switches on automatically on power failure is a real winner). If reliant on candles, where will I site them that’s safe? Will my telephone work if the power’s off? What alternative have I got to ring 999?

If you’ve elderly neighbours or relatives make sure they are safe from fire. They are statistically more at risk and are likely to be using older appliances, electric blankets or worst of all traditional chip pans. They’ll also react more slowly to a fire situation. Sit and have a chat with them to reduce their fire risk and improve their escape plan.

And lastly Fireworks, the risk assessment process produces one sensible course of action -go to an organised display! If you insist on ‘doing it yourself’ always follow the firework code.

http://www.saferfireworks.com/firework_code/index.htm

Visit the Dept for Communities website for much more detail, step by step guides etc. All free to download and designed to reduce the risk of fire in your home,

http://campaigns.direct.gov.uk/firekills/

Under the Community Fire Safety Campaign Cumbria Fire and Rescue will visit your house on request and carry out a free home fire safety check. National Fire Statistics prove how successful this drive has been,

enquiries.fire@cumbriacc.gov.uk or telephone 01900 822503