Safety in the home is your responsibility

tag logo Kitchen , Safety , Fire

First of all make sure all of your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are powered and in working order. Smoke detectors should be tested regularly.
If they are battery powered make sure you know when you need to change the batteries.
Make sure no appliance or heater wires are frayed or exposed, and make sure if you do have a heater or fireplace any flammable liquids and/or materials are kept at a safe distance.
If you use heaters it is a good idea to protect them with wire mesh guards in case anyone falls against them.
Limit obstructions where people walk and have small lights on around the house, especially near the stairs, to prevent people from tripping or falling.

Safety for Children in the home

Children don’t always know what’s safe for them, so it’s good for them to gain awareness of the dangers of electricity from an early age. Here are some simple dos and donts that could end up saving their lives:

Household:

Make sure all cords to your appliances (e.g. iron, kettle) are kept well out of the reach of children.

Never let your child bring any type of electrical appliance (games consoles, radios, CD players) into the bathroom.

Teach your child not to touch electrical appliances with wet hands.

Always fit safety caps into unused sockets and always place child locks on washing machine and tumble dryer doors.

Never leave electric cords lying around where children can trip over them.

Always protect heaters and electric fires with a safety guard particularly when children are around.

Outdoors

Never let your child wander near outdoor power lines and transformers and never allow children to climb trees near power lines.

Fire Prevention

Every fire has a cause and usually there’s a common sense and simple method of prevention. Careless attention to or use of cigarettes, lighters and matches, smoking, electricity, fireplaces, heaters, candles and cooking equipment are leading causes of fire-death and injury. The age groups most at risk are the under 12’s and over 60’s. Explain to children about the dangers of fire, you will be surprised how much they already know from school or are able to understand, if it is explained properly to them.

The best way to prevent a fire is to keep fuel sources away from potential heat sources. With that in mind have a look around your home to spot any possible, unwanted incidences of fuel meeting heat. Each room of your home should be systematically inspected by you to ensure that it is safe for you and your family 24 hours a day.

Kitchen

The kitchen is potentially the most hazardous room in the home. There are hot surfaces, naked flames, plentiful supplies of fuel, electrical appliances, lots of materials which can burn and scald, etc. There are plenty of potential distractions also i.e. children, telephones, televisions/radios, neighbours, washing machines, and the list goes on and on!

It is important to have;

a "safe work" practice, to avoid distractions

a Fire Blanket and Fire Extinguisher

a fully stocked First Aid kit.