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Stay alert in your home:
For fire safety in the home one of the most important items to consider is a smoke alarm. Every year there are over 600,000 fires in the United Kingdom including over 50,000 in homes resulting in over 800 deaths and 17,000 injuries. Smoke alarms are the first line of defence in providing an early warning in the case of a fire providing you an early warning signal that will allow you to safely evacuate the premises. FireMart offers a range of ionisation battery operated smoke alarms that are best for detecting fast burning flames and fire. The smoke alarms are safe and easy to install as well as providing cost effective protection for your home or business premises. For larger homes we also offer interminable smoke alarms and you can link up to 11 smoke alarms increasing coverage and protection which is especially useful where accommodation is on more than one level.
We also offer Carbon Monoxide Detectors which offer protection against the deadly killer carbon monoxide which is tasteless and odourless. Our Carbon Monoxide Detectors are fast and simple to install and provide a loud alarm if Carbon Monoxide is detected.
For ultimate protection, make sure that you view our combination smoke alarm and carbon monoxide tester. For further guidance on smoke alarms, please see the smoke alarms section of our website.

Fire Extinguishers:
For protection your kitchen we would recommend one of our wet chemical fire extinguishers which are avaible in two great sizes: compact 2ltr and full size 6ltr. Wet chemical fire extinguishers are suitable for use on deep fat fryer and cooking oil fires (Class F) and also offer protection against general A class fires (such as paper, wood, straw, textiles and coal etc.). The small and compact 2ltr f-class fire extinguishers are perfect for use in small commercial kitchens as well as mobile catering units and domestic kitchens. The extinguishers can be used from between 1 and 2 metres away from the fire helping to ensure the safety of the fire extinguisher operator. F-class fire extinguishers are the ONLY fire extinguishers that can combat fat fires. The f-class fire extinguishers are safe for inadvertent use on live electrical equipment up to 1,000 volts at a distance of 1 metre meaning added protection for users if electrical equipment is also present in the kitchen environment (such as ovens, electrical sockets, light fittings, microwave ovens etc).

Fire blankets:
Fire Blankets are ideal for fighting small fires that may occur in the home or the work place. With around 28% of house fires starting in the kitchen area, they really are an essential piece of safety equipment that should be used in all homes. Burning oils are one of the most common reasons for a fire in the kitchen. Not only are they very dangerous but they can easily get out of control. With a fire blanket handily placed near the exit doorway, any small fire can be easily extinguished just by throwing the blanket of the source of the flames. Fire blankets should always be placed near an exit so they can be easily reached in an emergency. Do not place near to cookers or far away from exits. In more serious house fires they can also be used to place over clothing that has caught fire or to be placed over the head if you need to evacuate a burning building. All of our Fire Blankets are manufactured to BS EN 1869:1997 and BSI Kitemarked. They come in a slim-line design with rigid plastic case that includes hole for wall mounting. Also a hinged base to ensure easy access to the fire blanket.

General fire protection for your home:
The best types of general fire extinguishers for your home are Dry Powder fire extinguishers. Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers are suitable for A, B and C fires which includes most general fires including flammable solids, liquids and gases. Dry Powder fire extinguishers are small and compact and they are perfect for use in the home and especially for garages/workshops/sheds etc. as they will protect against most types of fires. Dry Powder fire extinguishers are also great for use in cars and other vehicles and are supplied complete with transport brackets meaning that they can be quickly and easily secured in most vehicles The fire extinguishers are supplied complete with bracket and can quickly and easily be wall mounted or placed on a fire extinguisher floor stand. When considering using a dry powder fire extinguisher, it is worth noting that using a dry powder fire extinguisher will leave behind a powder residue and powder can quickly fill interior spaces.

A Fire Escape Plan May Save You and Your Family
Installing working smoke alarms is an essential, but they don't save lives unless everyone knows how to get out of the home safely. Make sure everyone knows how to escape when the smoke alarm sounds, whether awake or sleeping at the time. In your plan, have two ways out of each room, a prearranged meeting place outside and, most importantly, ONCE OUT – STAY OUT!

Minimizing the amount of time it takes to get out can improve your chances of surviving a hazardous home fire. Having a fire escape plan for you and your family can reduce the amount of time it takes to get out. Practicing the fire escape plan will help everyone understand what to do and where to meet.

Follow these steps when developing a fire escape plan for you and your family:

Practice escaping from every room in the home.

The best plans have two ways to get out of each room. If the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke, you will need a second way out.

Practice the escape plan with your family during the day and at night. Children, older adults, and the hearing-impaired may sleep through a fire alarm or may need assistance in escaping.

Designate a meeting location away from the home, but not necessarily across the street.

For example, meet under a specific tree or at the end of the driveway or front sidewalk to make sure everyone has gotten out safely and no one will be hurt looking for someone who is already safe.

Designate one person to go to a neighbour’s home to phone the fire department.

Practice the fire escape plan twice a year.

Safe Practices and Preventing a Fire in the Home:
There are more than 300,000 residential fires a year. Working smoke alarms are a key factor in surviving a fire, but safe practices in the home are the first line of defence in preventing a fire from ever starting. Many residential fires and fire-related deaths are preventable. A fire can occur in anyone's home and does not discriminate against age, race, or education.
The type of structure and the furnishings in a home play key roles in the type and progression of fire. It is difficult to accurately predict the type of fire that might occur in your home, but some simple safety steps can help reduce the risk of fire and better protect your family.

Safety around cooking appliances:
Cooking equipment accounts for the largest percentage of residential fires. Because of oils used these fires are most often flaming fires. However, normal cooking can also produce steam, smoke, and fumes that set off alarms. Disabling a smoke alarm to silence frequent nuisance alarms could be a fatal mistake. Instead, moving the smoke alarm farther away from the cooking appliance may help prevent nuisance alarms and still provide adequate detection of the small fast moving fires that occur in the kitchen.

Follow these steps to prevent cooking fires in the home:

Always keep an eye on food being heated. Unattended cooking causes the majority of fires in the kitchen.

If you leave the kitchen, set a timer to remind you that something is on the stove.

Keep children away from appliances when cooking. Have a "kid-free zone" around the stove and teach youngsters not to play in that area.

Roll-up sleeves or, if possible, wear short or tight fitting sleeves when cooking. Loose fitting clothing and sleeves can be dangerous near open flames.

Try not to reach over the stove. You can avoid this by not storing items you use directly over or behind the stovetop.

Turn handles inward so pots and pans won't be pulled or knocked off the stove.

Check heating and cooling equipment:
Heating and cooling equipment fires constitute the second largest share of residential fires. Home heating equipment includes central heating units, portable and stationary space heaters, fireplaces, chimneys, and heat transfer systems, as well as some devices not used to heat living spaces, most notably water heaters. Follow these steps to prevent heating and cooling appliance fires in the home:

Have a professional technician inspect your heating, cooling, and water appliances annually.

Have the fireplace chimney checked and cleaned routinely by a chimney "sweep" at least once a year.

Do not leave a portable heater operating unattended or operating while sleeping. Portable electric air heaters are designed for use only as temporary supplemental heating and only while attended.

Look for portable heaters that are listed by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory. These heaters have been tested to meet specific safety standards, and manufacturers are required to provide important use and care information to the consumer.

Check electrical cords and lighting:
Electrical fires from wiring and lighting are the third leading cause of residential fires. Fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more indoor activities and an increase in lighting, heating, and appliance use. Most electrical fires result from problems with installed wiring such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords and plugs, such as extension and appliance cords, also cause many home electrical fires.

Follow theses steps to prevent electrical fires in the home:

Do not use any electrical cord that is stiff or cracked. The insulation on electrical cords can become damaged by wear, flexing, or age.

Inspect electrical cords for frayed wires, which can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged cords immediately.

Install additional receptacles where needed. Extension cords should never be used as a long-term solution to the need for installing additional receptacles.

Never use damaged electrical cords. Cords can become damaged when run under rugs or furniture.

Keep combustibles away from light bulbs. Light bulbs, especially halogen types, get very hot and can ignite combustible materials that get too close.

Never place clothing or towels on top of a lampshade. Do not use table lamps without a shade where they might fall over onto a bed or sofa.

Use the correct wattage bulb for the fixture. Most light fixtures are labelled to show the type of and highest wattage bulb that can be safely used in that fixture; too high a wattage bulb can cause the fixture to overheat and start a fire.

Safety around upholstered furniture and mattresses:
Upholstered furniture and mattresses and bedding are the items first ignited and involved in the greatest numbers of fire deaths. These items are commonly ignited by open flame products (such as candles, cigarette lighters, and matches) or smoking materials (primarily cigarettes). Young children playing with matches and lighters are often involved in starting these fires and, unfortunately, are also their primary victims.

Follow these steps to prevent fires in the home:

Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of young children.

Exercise caution when using candles. Do not leave candles unattended or lit while sleeping.

Candles should be kept away from combustibles. Extinguish candles when you leave the room. If power is out, consider using flashlights instead.

Never smoke in bed and extinguish tobacco products when tired.

Use an ash tray when smoking.