Health and safety

Fire prevention

Bedtime Routine - Before going to bed:

• make sure the cooker and heaters are turned off
• rake out open fires and put a fire guard in place
• switch off and unplug all electrical appliances except those that are meant to stay on, like a video or fridge
• ensure you have access to a phone
• empty ashtrays, making sure the contents are cold
• close all the doors as this prevents fire spreading
• always turn under blankets off when you get into bed and never use an electric blanket and hot water bottle together
• have your electric blankets checked by an expert at least every three years.

Remember

Check everything is safe before you go to bed. Switch off electric blankets when in bed. Have electric blankets checked regularly. 

Kitchen Safety - Prevent a fire starting in the kitchen:

• never fill a pan more than one third full of fat or oil
• never leave the pan unattended with the heat on
• dry food before placing it in the hot oil – wet food will cause the oil to bubble up and possibly spill over the edge of the pan.

If the pan does catch fire:

• don't move it or throw water on to it
• turn off the heat if it is safe to do so
• if in any doubt, leave the room, close the door, shout a warning to others and call the fire brigade.

Remember

Don’t overfill pans and deep fat fryers. If the oil catches light – turn off the heat.

The London Fire Brigade makes free home fire-safety visits in Enfield and will fit a free smoke alarm where needed. For more information, please contact the the London Fire Brigade (www.london-fire.gov.uk) or call them on freephone 08000 28 44 28.