Staying safe this autumn

From Halloween and Bonfire Night to cosy evenings at home - by taking a few simple steps, you can help keep yourself, your family and your home safe while enjoying the celebrations this autumn!

Halloween

Whether you’re dressing up, carving pumpkins or going trick-or-treating, remember:

  • Add reflective strips or glow sticks to costumes so children are easier to see in the dark
  • Consider using face paint instead of masks, as masks can make it harder to see clearly
  • Stick to well-lit, familiar areas when trick-or-treating
  • Use battery-powered lights in pumpkins instead of candles
  • Check fancy dress costumes for a UKCA or CE mark. While no costume is completely fireproof, these labels show the costume has been tested for fire safety

Bonfire Night and fireworks

Going out to an organised firework display is usually the safest way to celebrate Bonfire Night.

Keep an eye on your local council website and community social media pages to find events taking place near you!

If you’re planning to use fireworks at home:

  • Only buy fireworks with a CE mark and from a reputable retailer
  • Follow the instructions carefully
  • Light one firework at a time
  • Keep fireworks far away from houses, sheds, fences and trees
  • Always have a bucket of water nearby in case of an emergency
  • Never go back to a firework once it’s been lit
  • Keep pets indoors during displays
  • Always supervise children
  • Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
  • Never give sparklers to children under five

Please also be considerate of your neighbours. Fireworks and loud noise can be distressing for pets, people living with PTSD and others in the community.

Garden bonfires

Please don’t have a bonfire in your garden. Bonfires can quickly spread to hedges, overhanging trees and nearby buildings, putting people and homes at risk.

Candles

As the evenings get darker, many of us enjoy lighting candles to create a cosy atmosphere at home. However, unattended candles are a common cause of house fires.

To stay safe:

  • Always put out candles, incense sticks and oil burners when you leave a room
  • Use heat-resistant holders on a stable surface
  • Keep candles away from curtains, furniture, paper, clothing and other items that could catch fire
  • Close nearby windows to stop curtains or other materials from blowing into flames
  • Keep candles, matches and lighters out of reach of children and pets

Charge batteries safely

Many everyday devices, including phones, laptops, e-scooters and e-bikes, use lithium batteries. If batteries are damaged, overcharged or used incorrectly, they can cause serious fires.

Remember:

  • Never charge devices overnight or when you’re out
  • Charge devices on a hard, flat surface – not on beds or sofas
  • Immediately stop using a device if it becomes unusually hot, smells strange or appears swollen
  • Only buy e-bikes, e-scooters, batteries and chargers from reputable retailers
  • Avoid charging e-bikes or e-scooters near your front door or other escape routes
  • Never modify or tamper with batteries

Test your smoke alarm today!

Your smoke alarm will give you an early warning if a fire starts, giving you and your family valuable time to get out safely.

We’ll continue to test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm, where one is installed, during our annual visit to your home.

It’s important to test them regularly yourself between visits. When tested, a working alarm should sound for around 10 to 20 seconds before stopping.

You can also help keep your alarms working properly by gently dusting them once a month to remove any dust or cobwebs.

If your smoke alarm starts beeping regularly, or you think it might not be working correctly, please get in touch with us as soon as possible.