East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to ensure that they take extra care in the kitchen. Figures show that’s where more than half of accidental fires in the home start.
The figures are being released as part of the National Fire Chief Council’s Home Safety Week (14 June 2021).
In the year from April 2020, 55% of accidental fires started in the kitchen, with around 10% in the bedroom.
Common causes include forgetting about cooking, items like tea towels being too close to hot hobs and faulty electrical items.
Jules King, Assistant Director of Safer Communities, said:
“While accidental fires in the home are at their lowest level ever in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, we are determined to cut that number further.
Simple things like not plugging too many gadgets into one socket or keeping an eye on cooking really do make a difference.”
Home Safety Visits and online checks
We offer free home safety visits – by phone or in person – to everyone in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove. Call 0800 177 7069, email Homefire.Safetyvisits@esfrs.org or go to https://www.esfrs.org/your-safety/home-safety-visits/ for more information.
We also have an online safety check.
This easy-to-follow home fire safety check has been developed through a partnership between the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Fire Kills and Safelincs. It will take you through your home one room at a time and the simple questions will help you spot fire risks as you go around your home.
The tool will offer tips and advice on the steps you can take to reduce those risks. At the end, you will receive a personalised fire safety action plan to help keep you and your household safe from fire.
Take part here: https://www.safelincs.co.uk/hfsc/?ref=ESFRS
Six steps to a safer home
- Smoke alarms - protect your home with working smoke alarms by installing them on every level and testing them every week.
- Take extra care in the kitchen - 55% of accidental house fires started in the kitchen.
- Check your electrics, maintain your electrical appliances and consider registering your appliances.
- Smoking is the biggest house fire killer so make sure you put it out, right out.
- You are more at risk from fire when asleep so bring in a nighttime routine to help reduce the chance of fire.
- Make sure you know how to get out in an emergency.
Read more about this advice here: https://www.esfrs.org/your-safety/safer-homes/
Figures
| Accidental Dwelling fires 2020-21 Start Location | Total | % |
| Kitchen | 245 | 55.3% |
| Bedroom | 43 | 9.7% |
| Living room | 30 | 6.8% |
| Other | 25 | 5.6% |
| External fittings | 15 | 3.4% |
| Bathroom/Toilet | 12 | 2.7% |
| Corridor/Hall | 12 | 2.7% |
| Roof space | 11 | 2.5% |
| Utility room | 9 | 2.0% |
| Not known | 7 | 1.6% |
| Bedsitting room | 6 | 1.4% |
| Under stairs (enclosed, storage area) | 6 | 1.4% |
| Dining room | 5 | 1.1% |
| Garage | 4 | 0.9% |
| Airing/Drying cupboard | 3 | 0.7% |
| Open plan area | 3 | 0.7% |
| Refuse store | 3 | 0.7% |
| Chimney | 2 | 0.5% |
| Conservatory | 2 | 0.5% |
| Grand Total | 443 | 100% |
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