Safety in the home

Every year, we attend countless homes across Oxfordshire. Many of these call outs could be avoided with better planning and slight changes to our lives.  

Look at our top ten tips for simple steps to reduce the risk of harm and damage in your home.

1. Fit smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Fit smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on each level in your home and test them regularly. These alarms are reliable, easy to use and inexpensive. 

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas. You can't smell it, so it is very dangerous. Fit a carbon monoxide alarm if your home has:

• an open fire
• fuel burning stove
• gas appliances

These alarms must have a CE marking and proof of the EN50291 standard on the packaging and the product. This marking guarantees it meets European standards

Recognise the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

2. Plan your escape

Be prepared with a plan of escape and ensure everyone in the household knows what to do. 

3. Never leave cooking unattended

Never leave cooking unattended, especially when using hot oil. It can catch fire easily. One in three of Oxfordshire's house fires starts because of cooking. 

4. Keep clutter free

Keeping things clutter-free means clearing exit routes and putting away or disposing of things when they're not needed. 

Hoarding can be a significant fire risk because it:

• makes it easier for the fire to start and spread
• makes it harder to escape

Find support for hoarders and their loved ones on the Hoarding Support website.

5. Do not overload electrical sockets

• keep to one plug per socket and check for faulty frayed wiring
• if you need more plugs, use a bar type fuse adaptor
• keep the amps of all plugs to 13 amps or less
• higher amp appliances like washing machines always need a socket to themselves 
• register your appliances so you can be contacted if a safety repair is ever needed

6. Be careful with flames

Be careful with flames including candles, tea lights, matches and cigarettes.

• never leave them unattended
• always extinguish them properly
• kept them away from children

7. Check that all appliances are off

Before bedtime check that all appliances are off, especially dishwashers, heaters and washing machines. Close all internal doors as this could stop a fire from spreading and save your life. 

8. Prepare for flooding

Flooding can be very destructive. Find out what to do in case of flooding and how you can prepare for it on our Oxfordshire Flood Toolkit.

9. Deal with a power cut

Power cuts and other utility losses can happen at any time and with little warning. Register with your utility supplier for priority service if you:

• receive a state pension
• are disabled
• have a child under five

10. Take care of appliances

Get appliances properly fitted and regularly serviced or checked. Electrical appliances can become a fire risk as they age or get damaged. 

• gas engineers should be Gas Safe registered 
• electricians should be NICEIC registered
• buy with confidence is the only trading standards-approved scheme with audited traders in Oxfordshire

We provide free electric blanket testing. If your electric blanket is damaged, has scorch marks or any loose connections, stop using it immediately.