Everyone should feel safe in their home. However, a fire in an unprepared home could have devastating consequences. That’s why Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is encouraging people to take extra care to keep their homes safe.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, there were 26,000 dwelling fires across England with 184 people tragically losing their lives as a result.
“A fire can completely devastate your home,” said Gail Muirhead, Prevention Manager at RBFRS. “There are a few simple things you can do though to help reduce the risk of a fire starting in your home.
“The easiest way to keep you and your loved ones safe is by installing one smoke alarm on every level of your home. Place them on the middle of the ceiling on each hallway and stair landing to give them the best detection range.
“If a fire should start, do not try to tackle it yourself. Raise the alarm and get out the building as quickly and safely as possible.
“When you are somewhere safe, call 999 and ask for the fire service. Remember, never go back into a building or room with fire – wait for us to arrive and help.”
Since the start of 2025, there have been more than 450 dwelling fires in Berkshire. Don’t let your home become a part of the statistic.
Find more fire safety advice by visiting rbfrs.co.uk/yoursafety.
- Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home.
- The best places to fit them are at the bottom of the stairs, with further alarms on each stair landing, as near as possible to the centre of the ceilings.
- Test the alarms every week to make sure they are working.
- Change the batteries once a year (unless it is a 10-year alarm) and replace the entire alarm every 10 years.
- Take time to check on vulnerable relatives and neighbours and test their smoke alarms for them, as they are at greater risk from fire.
- Keep looking when cooking – never leave cooking unattended.
- Keep long hair and loose clothing away from the hob.
- Make sure pan handles are not sticking out as these can be easily knocked over.
- Never leave children unattended in the kitchen.
- Avoid cooking if you are under the influence of alcohol or medications that have sedative effects.
- Always double check that the cooking appliances are switched off when finished.
- Always buy electrical products from reputable sellers.
- Look out for loose wiring or signs of dangerous wear and tear. Do not use a product or socket if there are any of these signs.
- Do not overload sockets (keep to one plug per socket) and never ‘daisy chain’ extension cables.
- Always unplug electrical products when they are not in use and before leaving them unattended or going to sleep.
- Don’t overcharge batteries and avoid placing phones or other electric devices under pillows or blankets whilst charging.
- Don’t dispose of damaged or end of life batteries in general household waste or normal recycling. Ensure that they are disposed of properly at designated battery disposal banks.
- If possible, avoid charging e-bikes and e-scooters indoors.
- Always place candles in a proper holder on a heat resistant surface.
- Keep the flame at a safe distance from flammable materials such as curtains.
- Keep long hair and loose clothing away from naked flames.
- Place candles out of reach of children and pets.
- Never leave lit candles unattended. Extinguish them before going to sleep or leaving the room.
- Consider using flameless LED or battery-operated candles instead as they are much safer.
Smoking, Emollient Creams and Oxygen Users:
- Use a proper ashtray that is made of a material that won’t burn and is placed on a stable surface that can’t tip over.
- Always put your cigarette out. As a tip, place a small amount of water in the bottom of the ashtray to ensure the cigarette is completely extinguished when stubbed out.
- Never smoke in bed.
- Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.
- Emollient users must avoid flames and heat sources, such as open fires, gas fires and halogen heaters.
- If there is a chance that clothing, dressings or bedding could be contaminated with emollients, do not smoke or cook using a gas or electric hob.
- Oxygen users must read the instruction manual before operating their medical equipment.
- Never smoke or let someone else smoke near you whilst using your oxygen equipment. This includes the use of e-cigarettes.
- Never charge or let anyone charge batteries of e-cigarettes near you or the oxygen source.
- Do not use your oxygen equipment near an open flame. Oxygen should always be kept at least 3m away from open flames.