Home Fire Prevention Checklist

House fires kill thousands of people each year in high-income countries alone. Most of these fires are preventable. The leading causes — cooking, heating equipment, electrical faults, smoking, and candles — are all manageable with consistent attention and basic precautions. This checklist addresses the most significant fire causes and what you can do about each.

Leading Causes of House Fires

Cause	Share of Fires	Primary Prevention
Cooking	~50%	Never leave cooking unattended
Heating equipment	~15%	Clearance and maintenance
Electrical equipment	~10%	Load management; professional wiring
Intentional	~7%	Varies
Smoking	~5%	No indoor smoking; proper disposal
Candles	~3%	Never leave unattended
Children playing	~2%	Secure ignition sources

Cooking Fire Prevention

Cooking is the leading cause of residential fires. Most cooking fires are caused by unattended cooking or flammable materials near the stove.

1. Never leave cooking unattended — if you must leave the kitchen, turn off the burner.
2. Keep the cooking area clear — no tea towels, paper, or packaging near the hob.
3. Keep the hob and extractor clean — grease accumulation is highly flammable.
4. Turn pot handles inward — prevents knocking pots off the stove.
5. Keep a fire blanket accessible — mounted near the kitchen exit (not directly at the cooker, which you may not be able to reach in a fire).
6. Know how to deal with a pan fire — never put water on a fat fire; smother with a lid or fire blanket.

Heating Equipment

1. Maintain 1-metre clearance around portable heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves — no clothing, furniture, or flammable materials within 1 metre.
2. Never leave portable heaters running unattended or while sleeping.
3. Have the boiler or furnace serviced annually by a qualified engineer.
4. Have chimneys swept at least annually if using a wood stove or open fire.
5. Use a fireguard in front of all open fires and wood stoves.
6. Do not dry clothes over heaters or close to radiators — this creates a fire hazard.

Electrical Fire Prevention

1. Do not overload sockets or extension leads — each socket has a maximum amperage; running high-draw appliances from one extension lead is a common fire cause.
2. Do not run extension cords under rugs or carpets — these obscure damage and trap heat.
3. Check electrical appliances regularly for damaged cables, burning smells, or unusual heat.
4. Use surge-protected extension strips for electronics.
5. Have old or unusual wiring inspected by a qualified electrician.
6. Do not charge devices overnight on fabric surfaces (bed, sofa) — heat buildup from battery charging can ignite surrounding material.

⚠️ Lithium batteries (phones, e-bikes, laptops) are an increasing fire cause. Charge on hard, non-flammable surfaces. If a device becomes unusually hot while charging, stop charging immediately and do not place it near flammable materials.

Smoking

1. Smoke outside — the most effective single measure.
2. Use deep, weighted ashtrays — prevent embers falling out.
3. Never smoke in bed or when tired — falling asleep with a lit cigarette is one of the leading causes of fatal fires.
4. Soak ash and butts in water before disposal — cigarette butts remain warm for hours.

Candles

1. Never leave a candle unattended — extinguish before leaving the room.
2. Keep candles away from draughts — curtains, open windows, ventilation ducts.
3. Keep candles away from flammable materials — minimum 30 cm from anything that can burn.
4. Place candles on stable, heat-resistant holders on flat surfaces.
5. Extinguish before sleeping.
6. Consider LED flameless candles — no fire risk at all for ambient lighting purposes.

Smoke Detectors — Your Most Important Safety Device

1. Install on every floor — including the basement and near sleeping areas.
2. Test monthly — press and hold the test button.
3. Replace batteries annually — use long-life batteries; replace at a set date each year (e.g., your birthday).
4. Replace the unit after 10 years or as specified by the manufacturer.
5. Do not disable detectors that nuisance-alarm during cooking — move the detector or ventilate better; a disabled detector kills.

Annual Fire Safety Actions

Each year:

• Replace smoke detector batteries
• Test all detectors
• Service boiler/furnace
• Sweep chimney (if wood burning)
• Check and recharge fire extinguisher
• Review household fire escape plan

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Quick Reference

Cause	Top Prevention Action
Cooking	Never leave unattended; fire blanket accessible
Heating	1m clearance; annual service; fireguard
Electrical	No overloaded sockets; no cords under rugs
Smoking	Smoke outside; never in bed
Candles	Never unattended; away from draughts
Detectors	Every floor; tested monthly; batteries annual