Keeping your home and family safe is simpler than it’s ever been thanks to improved regulations and standards. Modern homes are built to be extremely secure, protecting you from the elements while also being resistant to fire. However, house fires can and do happen. In the UK, there are over 30,000 house fires a year, and this can lead to property damage as well as injury and even death.
Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can improve the overall safety of your home and reduce the risk of fires catching and spreading. In this article, we’ll share information on using fire alarm test keys to ensure your alarms are working correctly, avoiding common fire risks and improving your overall home fire safety.
Why You Should Test Your Smoke Alarm Regularly
Smoke alarms are incredibly important devices for fire safety, and all homes should be fitted with at least one. Many modern homes also have in-built fire alarms, which are triggered by smoke and heat to warn of a fire starting before it starts to spread. You can test your alarm by pressing a button or using fire alarm test keys to ensure it works correctly.
It’s important to check your alarms regularly to make sure they’re working properly. A faulty alarm could mean that you’re in danger if a fire breaks out, particularly if it happens while you’re sleeping. Although modern smoke and fire alarms are designed to last, they can still suffer from issues.
When testing your alarm, make a note of when you did it and what the result was. You should always keep detailed results of your tests. That way, you know when it’s next due to be checked. This will also help ensure you meet the conditions of your home insurance policy, which may state that alarms need to be tested at certain intervals.
Common Fire Risks and How to Avoid Them
Fires can happen at any time, but there are some activities that lead to more fire risks than others. While many of these risks can’t be avoided completely, you can reduce the risks by taking the correct safety measures. Here are some of the most common causes of house fires and how you can manage the risk.
Cooking
The vast majority of house fires originate in the kitchen. Cooking and preparing food is an essential activity, so it’s not something you can completely stop doing. However, you can definitely take steps to ensure your cooking process is safer and reduce the risk of fires occurring.
For one thing, you should never leave cooking unattended. Always pay attention to what you’re cooking, and remove anything flammable from the stovetop while it’s turned on. Check the oven is turned off when you’re finished using it. You should also turn the stove off if you smell smoke. If you’re cooking with oil and a fire starts, don’t use water to put it out. Instead, use a thick cloth over the pan to remove the oxygen.
Open Flames
Many people use candles to set the mood and provide a refreshing fragrance throughout the home. They’re very popular, but they can be extremely dangerous if you don’t use them carefully. If you’re lighting candles, make sure you keep them away from any flammable materials such as curtains or clothing. Ensure that the area above the candle is clear and that the candle is placed on a secure surface.
If you have children, you should take extra care when using candles, making sure they’re out of reach. Additionally, don’t leave matches or lighters in a place where children can access them.
Electrical Equipment
Electrical fires are also very common, but you can reduce the risks by checking for damage and ensuring you’re not overloading sockets. Faulty wiring can be very dangerous, so always replace an item if it’s damaged or take it to be repaired by a professional.
