Fire Safety

Introduction to fire safety 

Most fires are preventable. Those responsible for workplaces and other buildings  to which the public have access can avoid them by taking responsibility for and adopting the right behaviours and procedures.

General fire safety hazards

Fires need 3 things to start:

• a source of ignition (heat)
• a source of fuel (something that burns)
• oxygen

Sources of ignition include:

• heaters
• lighting
• naked flames
• electrical equipment
• smokers' materials (such as cigarettes, matches)
• anything else that can get very hot or cause sparks

Sources of fuel include:

• wood
• paper
• plastic
• rubber or foam
• loose packaging materials
• waste rubbish
• furniture

Sources of oxygen include the air around us.

Refresh your memory and watch this short video from the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service on Fire Safety in the home.

London Fire Brigade -  Home Fire Safety Checker

You can get tailored advice for your home, or the home of someone you care for direct from the London Fire Brigade.

Our tool allows you to carry out a thorough check of the home in only a few minutes. It’s simple and practical – giving specific advice tailored to your circumstances and your home.

Get started with the Home Fire Safety Checker

Fire Safety for Carers

Some older or vulnerable people may be more at risk from fires in their home. As a carer, friend or family member, there are certain things you can do to help keep them safe.

Read more about Frie Safety for Carers

Homecare Association

The Homecare Association has a factsheet on Fire safety for homecare providers: Questions and Answers which includes information on what are the training requirements for home care providers? what does fire prevention mean for people receiving care in their own home. 

Fire risk checklist for domiciliary care providers

National Fire Chiefs Council has developed a simple fire risk checklist, aimed primarily at domiciliary care providers for use when assessing the care and support needs of the people they support, or when reviewing their care. The checklist also provides advice, guidance and a link to further support.

Carers guide to home fire safety

Are you a formal or informal carer, support worker or someone who visits, works or lives with a vulnerable person in their own home?

London Fire Brigade had produced a ‘Carers Guide to Home Fire Safety’ video which will help you identify fire risks and show you what you can do to reduce them.

A Carers Guide to Home Fire Safety

Fire safety in Care Homes

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

General fire precautions, eg ensuring adequate means of escape from a building, are enforced by individual Fire and Rescue Services in England, Wales and Scotland. HSE deals with process fire risk, eg using flammable liquids and LPG or electrical faults, which can cause fires.

Although serious fires in care homes are fairly rare, when they do occur they can be catastrophic. Therefore, those responsible for the premises (eg employers and/or building owners or occupiers) must take precautions to prevent fire.

Those responsible for the premises must carry out a fire safety risk assessment, keep it up to date, and use it to ensure that necessary fire safety measures are in place. It should identify what could cause a fire to start, including: sources of ignition (eg heat or sparks); materials that burn; people who may be at risk.

Simple control measures include: keeping sources of ignition and flammable substances apart; ensuring good housekeeping (eg avoid build-up of rubbish); considering how to detect fires and how to warn people quickly if they start – special arrangements may be required where residents have mobility issues; having the correct fire-fighting equipment, ensuring these are correctly maintained; keeping fire exits and escape routes clearly marked and unobstructed; ensuring your workers receive appropriate training.

Find out more on Managing risks and risk assessment at work

Advice for residential care homes

If you're responsible for accommodation for older or vulnerable people, Lonodon Fire Brigade has everything you need to know about protecting them from fire. 

Read more about protecting those you care for from fire.

Risk of Emollients

Watch this video from the National Fire Chiefs Council for Carers advice on Emollients.

Mr CS Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR)

Mr CS died of extensive burns after a smouldering cigarette which had dropped in his clothing became ignited by a breeze. He was alone smoking in the outside shelter at his care home and had been unsupervised by the care staff for around 45 minutes. Had he been supervised, had he had a means of calling for assistance or been wearing a protective apron he would have survived.

Mr CS - Safeguarding Adults Review - Full Report (Includes board statement)

Mr CS - Safeguarding Adults Review - Practice Briefing

Guidelines On Risk Assessment for Smoking in Care Homes

Bupa ordered to pay record amount for fire safety failings after death of care home resident

Emollient Fire Safety Resources

Emollients and risk of severe and fatal burns

National Fire Chiefs Council Know the Risks Emollients Campaign

Bi-Borough Safeguarding Adults Executive Board (Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster)
Thematic Safeguarding Adults Review – Fatal Fires

Learning Resources

Fire Prevention and Safeguarding Toolkit

This toolkit which has been developed to equip all those who come into contact with people who are at increased risk of fire in their homes with the knowledge and understanding they need to help prevent fatal or serious fire incidents.

The fire prevention guidance focus on environmental factors, and lifestyle and behavioural factors to then explore the specific health and social care needs to take a person-centred approach to keep people safe from harm by fire.

Fire elearning Toolkit

Free Fire Prevention and Safeguarding Training Course

This free Fire Prevention and Safeguarding training course will equip all those who come into contact with people who are at increased risk of fire in their homes with the knowledge and understanding they need to help prevent future fire related serious safeguarding incidents.

Free Fire Prevention and Safeguarding Training Course | Virtual College