National Fire Safety Week, 5 - 12 October, jointly run with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, is about enhancing fire safety, particularly in the home. This year’s theme is “Smoke Alarms Save Lives”. The campaign will focus on Fire Safety in the home as the public continues to spend an increased amount of time at home during the public health situation.

Both the very young and the elderly are particularly vulnerable and these groups account for almost half of the domestic fatalities.

Smoke alarms are the single most effective fire safety item in your home. They will alert you to a problem early and give you and everyone in your home time to escape safely.

• Smoke alarms need to be WORKING to detect smoke.
• Test them weekly by pressing the test button on the alarm.
• Even mains wired alarms have a battery, in case the power fails.
• If you hear a 'chirp' the alarm needs attention.
• You should have one alarm per floor of your home, including the attic space.
• Vacuum the alarm regularly to clear them from dust and spiders!
• Check the 'replace by' date which should be stamped on the alarm.
• Replace the alarm if that date has passed.
• Alarms can be disposed at a WEEE recycling centre.

Cooking was the leading cause of accidental fires in the home during the Covid-19 pandemic so far. Follow our safety advice to make sure you’re doing all you can to prevent a kitchen fire from occurring.

Cooking Safety Advice

• Avoid leaving cooking unattended
• Don’t cook if you are tired, have been drinking alcohol or have taken medication that could make you drowsy
• Keep flammable items, such as, over mitts, tea towels and cables away from the cooker top
• Be careful not to lean over cooker tops as loose clothing and aprons can catch fire
• Keep the oven and grill pan free from build-up of oils and grease
• Supervise children and pets in the kitchen at all times; keep matches and saucepan handles out of reach
• Make sure the cooker hob is turned off when you have finished cooking.