'Put it out. Right out'

If you drink and smoke at home you are at greater risk from suffering a fire. Smoking materials are the biggest cause of fire-related death in the home. Nearly a third of all households have a smoker living in them. There are an average of 120 deaths, 1,300 injuries and 3,750 fires per year in accidental home fires caused by smoking materials. Similar, recent research has found that about half of all adults killed in fires were under the influence of alcohol. The overwhelming majority of people who are killed in a house fire perish as a result of smoke and toxic fume inhalation as opposed to burn injuries. Evidence finds that alcohol not only impedes human detection of smoke, but also impedes peoples ability to respond to the danger a house fire poses to them and get out of their home safely.

By following a few key tips you can reduce the risk of fire happening in your home:

  Take extra care when you're tired, taking prescription drugs or have been drinking alcohol. It's very easy to fall asleep without realising that your cigarette is still burning.

  Don't leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended - they can easily overbalance as they burn down, land on a carpet or newspaper and start a fire. When you put it out, make sure it really is out.

  Ensure you have a working smoke alarm for every floor level in your home.

 

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