HOW FIRE SAFE IS YOUR PROPERTY?

Fire Safety Quiz

Is your fire safety up to date? Find out in minutes with our fire safety quiz.

When it comes to fire safety at home or at work, it’s easy to think 'sure, we’ve got a smoke alarm and a fire extinguisher, we’re covered.' And in most cases you may be right, but data shows there’s often a gap between having something installed and ensuring it’s actually working or being maintained.

FIRE SAFETY AT HOME

What the numbers say about fire safety in UK homes

While Around 92% of households in England reported having a working smoke alarm, but even among those households, not everyone regularly tests them. In a snapshot of home fire safety visits a few years ago, just under a quarter of households reported they had never tested their smoke alarm.

When fire crews attend dwelling fires, the data suggests a smoke alarm was present and did its job (sounded correctly) in only 47% of cases.

Having an alarm is important, but it’s not the same as having an alarm that’s maintained, well-placed, and able to work when it counts. A few minutes every month or so is all it takes to check that your alarm still works, batteries are good and nothing is blocking it.

Fire safety tips for your home

Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and test them regularly (weekly is ideal) so you know they still work.

Always use the correct chargers for phones, laptops and e-cigarettes, avoid overloading sockets and don’t leave devices charging on beds, sofas or other soft furnishings.

Extinguish candles, cigarettes and fireplaces fully before you leave the room or go to bed, and keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach.

Don’t leave ovens or microwaves running unattended and never put metal objects in the microwave; stay nearby while cooking so you can react quickly if something goes wrong.

Turn off electric blankets, gaming consoles and portable heaters before sleep, keep heaters away from curtains and furniture, and place hot hair tools on a heat-resistant surface.

UK businesses don't always have up to date fire safety arrangements

In one study analysing fire safety data, industrial premises (24.85%), food & drink premises (19.13%) and retail stores (17.66%) accounted for more than 60% of all workplace fires recorded between 2024 and

2025.

In the most recent national fire safety audit data (year ending March 2025), fire services carried out over 51,000 fire safety audits, and only 58% of those audits received a satisfactory outcome.

A significant proportion of buildings, like offices, shops and small businesses, may not have up-to-date, adequately documented fire-safety arrangements. And for small businesses, that’s often where risk can slip.

Whether you run a small shop, a café, a studio or manage a workspace, it’s worth reviewing your fire-risk

assessment and making sure all documentation and safety measures are up to date, including alarms, escape routes, and staff awareness/training if applicable.

Fire safety tips for your business

Regularly review your fire risk assessment and make sure any actions it highlights are actually carried out, not just filed away.

Lock away combustible products, store flammable liquids in suitable approved containers and only keep the minimum quantities you need on site.

Check that perimeter security, external lighting and any CCTV are effective so it’s harder for someone to start a fire deliberately.

Test your fire alarm system routinely, keep escape routes completely clear and ensure extinguishers and other equipment are serviced on schedule.

Confirm that fire wardens and key staff know where equipment is, how to use it safely on small fires, and where everyone should go in an evacuation.

We'll undertake a full home security survey free of charge

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Why choose Spy Alarms?

We can provide sound, unbiased advice on your security

Ask Spy Alarms to make your home secure and we will provide you with the best system for your needs and budget. We begin by sending out an experienced surveyor to assess your property and security requirements. This service is free of charge and it enables us to design a burglar alarm system that is bespoke to you.

We’ve been designing and installing home security systems in the UK for over 40 years and all our work is certified to NSI Gold standard – signifying the greatest perceived value across the industry and by the police, fire and rescue services and insurers.

We also provide ongoing security features, such as SMS alerts and home security alarm monitoring, guaranteeing a swift response whenever the alarm is set off.

Fire Safety Guides, Tips and Advice

Browse through our articles section below for useful guides, advice and insights into our industry and the technology available. If you have a question, get in touch with our friendly team.

How to Choose the Right Fire Alarm for Your Home

A simple guide to understanding your options, choosing the right level of protection, and getting expert advice that fits your home.

The £78,000 flame: The true cost of UK business fires

The average cost of a fire to a UK business is around £78,000, which can be financially devastating, especially for small companies and startups.

Home Fire Safety Lessons Learnt From The Great Fire of London

So this weekend it was 350 years since the Great Fire of London started, an event that's had a massive impact on modern home fire safety. The fire was recorded as having resulted in only 6 fatalities - which would be a miracle statistic, if it were true.