Every year over 55,000 fires in the home kill 700 people and injure another 10,000. Occupants accidentally start most of these fires, usually by leaving a chip pan unattended or by carelessly discarded cigarette ends setting fire to sofas or chairs.

Here are some other dangers that can be found around the home or at school. Not forgetting what is needed to start a fire (The Fire Triangle [session two] - heat, oxygen and fuel), can you think of any more dangers you might find?

1) Open fires in the home
2) Careless airing of linen
3) Misuse of portable heaters
4) Unattended cooking fats
5) Playing with matches
6) Lack of care with ashtrays etc.
7) Camp fires and barbeques
8) Faulty wiring and wrong fuses in electrical appliances
9) Fireworks

We are now going to look in some detail at how to prevent each of the above dangers:

OPEN FIRES IN THE HOME
Not many homes in urban areas have open fires anymore but they are still fairly common in the countryside. A fireguard should always be placed around an open fire while it is burning or still hot. This will prevent hot coals from falling out and setting fire to the carpet. You should never rest anything on the guard, especially drying clothes. The items will probably catch fire or get too hot to handle and than cause burns when you try to remove them.

PORTABLE HEATERS
Portable heaters provide a convenient and instant source of heat when used properly. You should always follow the manufacturers operating instructions and in addition you should:
* Keep the heater clean and well maintained.
* Ventilate the room in which the heater is being used.
* Turn the heater off before going to bed.
* Do not place a heater where it is likely to be knocked over and do not move it while it is alight. If a heater is to be used in one place for a long time fix it securely to the floor or wall.
* Do not place a heater too close to furniture, bedding or curtains, nor sit or stand too close to a heater yourself; materials or your clothing may ignite.
* Do not air or dry clothes over a heater; they may become too hot to handle and cause a burn or ignite.
* Do not leave unattended young children or animals near a heater that is alight.
* Do not use flammable adhesives, cleaning fluids or aerosol sprays near a heater; you may have an explosive and uncontrollable fire on your hands.

COOKING FATS (CHIP PANS)
There are two main causes of chip pan fires:
1) The oil in the pan overheats and catches fire.
2) The oil spills onto the cooker and catches fire. This happens when the pan has been overfilled or when wet chips are put in hot oil causing it to bubble up and overflow.

To help prevent a chip pan fire:
* Never fill the pan more than a third full with oil.
* Never leave the pan unattended with the heat on, not even for a few seconds.
* Never put the chips in the pan if the oil begins to give off blue smoke. To prevent a fire turn off the heat and leave the oil to cool.
* Dry the chips before putting them in the pan.
* Test the oil temperature before you put the chips in the pan; put a small piece of bread into the pan and if it crisps up quickly the oil is ready for use.
* The oil temperature is to high if a blue smoke is given off; remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool down.

IF YOUR CHIP PAN CATCHES FIRE …
1) Don't panic.
2) Do not move the pan.
3) Turn the cooker off if it is safe to do so (but never lean over the pan to reach the cooker controls.)
4) Place a damp cloth, tea towel or Fire Blanket if available over the pan to smother the flames, protecting your hands and face at all times.
5) Never throw water onto the fire.
6) Leave the pan to cool down for at least 30 minutes.
If you can not control the fire yourself, leave the room, close the door and dial 999 for the fire brigade.

Always make sure that saucepans are in a safe position on the cooker. Handles should not stick out over the edge where they can be reached and knocked over by children, nor should they be left over a hot ring or a burner where somebody could accidentally burn themselves by picking them up.

PLAYING WITH MATCHES
Because of their natural curiosity, it is not uncommon for children to accidentally start fires, causing massive destruction and putting them at great risk. To prevent this happening children should never be left unattended and all matches and lighters (that can make great ‘toys’) should be kept safely out of reach.

CORRECT USE OF SMOKING MATERIALS
Someone who smokes is creating a long-term health risk for them self but the short-term risk of a lit cigarette or pipe can be just as deadly. A cigarette or pipe burning on the brim of an ashtray which is balanced on the edge of an armchair may fall or get knocked onto the carpet, or worse still fall back into the armchair, particularly if the ashtray is already partially full. The armchair or carpet will soon catch fire and start to give off dense smoke and fumes, making it difficult for anyone to escape. Falling asleep with a lighted cigarette or pipe can also be fatal. The chair or bedding you are sleeping in will quickly catch fire and the smoke and fumes will not wake you. To help prevent such accidents you should never leave a lit cigarette or pipe unattended. Before going to bed you should make sure you stub out your cigarette and empty the ashtray making sure the contents are cold before doing so. You should not smoke if you think you may doze off, it could be the last cigarette you ever smoke.

CAMP FIRES & BARBECUES
Few campsites allow the building of open campfires. Some sites do allow altar fires (these raise the fire up on a stand so the heat and flames are off the floor) or set aside specific areas where fires are allowed. If you must have a fire:
1) Always take great care, keep your working area clean & tidy.
2) Build it down wind at least 10 metres from any tent or greenery.
3) Clear the area of grass and leaves to form an area of earth around the fire.
4) The fire should be built so it will collapse inward when burning.
5) Watch for flying embers and sparks.
6) Never leave the fire unattended.
7) Never use flammable liquids like petrol or paraffin to start or revive a fire.
8) Use only recommended firelighters.
9) When burning rubbish never throw used aerosol or gas containers onto the fire.
10) Never build a fire in a forest or wood.
11) When leaving the campsite make sure the fire is put out, there are no hot ashes remaining and that any turf removed is now returned.

Where appropriate, the same precautions should be followed for barbecues. In addition to following the above recommendations you should keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher near the fire or barbecue to extinguish any flames that may spread. If you are camping it is also a good idea to keep a bucket of water by your tent for the same reason.

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND THEIR WIRING
Electricity is often overlooked as a possible fire hazard, often because there is no flame. This is a mistake some 28,000 homeowners make every year. Some electrical appliances are supposed to be switched off and unplugged when not in use (e.g. an iron) while others are safe if they are left on all the time (e.g. radio alarm clock). If you are unsure about a particular appliance, check the manufacturer's instructions or with the shop where you bought it. When buying new equipment, look out for the BEAB Kite Mark of Safety. This means that it has been tested and approved by the British Elecrotechnical Approvals Board.

PLUGS AND FLEXES
Remove plugs carefully - don’t remove them by pulling the flex. Use a three-pin plug that conforms to the British standard and carries the kitemark. Overloading a socket (by using adaptors) can cause it to overheat and catch fire. This can be prevented by either finding a separate power source or by using use a suitable, good quality adaptor and ensure it has the correct fuse fitted.

WIRING
Common signs of dangerous wiring include:
* Warm or hot plugs or sockets.
* Fuses that blow for no obvious reason.
* Lights flickering.
* Brown scorch marks on sockets and plugs.
If you see any of these danger signs in your home you should ask your electricity board to check your wiring. Regular checks of the wiring in your home should prevent any of these danger signs occurring.

WIRING A PLUG
Most electrical appliances come complete with a pre-fitted plug. Make sure you learn the colour code of the wires if you have to wire a plug yourself and always follow any manufacturers instructions. The 6 points below outline the fitting of a plug.
1) Loosen the cable clamp.
2) Connect the earth wire (green & yellow).
3) Connect the neutral wire (blue).
4) Connect the live wire (brown).
5) Clamp the cable into the plug.
6) Install the fuse.

Before testing the plug, make sure you have checked the following safety points:
* Ensure there is no more than 1 mm of bare wire showing next to the terminals.
* Ensure no insulation is trapped under screw heads.
* Ensure no insulation or wires are damaged or nicked.
* Check that all screws are tight.
* Check that the cable-retaining clamp is fitted correctly.
* Ensure that the correct fuse is fitted.

FIREWORK SAFETY
Fireworks can be extremely dangerous. It is advisable to go to council organised events should you wish to see a firework display; the display will be much better than you could organise at home. Fireworks can and will kill if handled incorrectly but more often than not they will horrifically maim; blowing peoples hands off or blinding victims who get too close. If you do decide to have a home display, follow these instructions:
* Keep all unused fireworks in a closed box, not in your pockets.
* Follow the instructions on each firework carefully.
* Light tip of firework fuse at arm's length.
* Stand well back.
* Never return to a firework once lit, it may go off in your face.
* Never fool with or throw fireworks.
* Keep pets indoors.