Sound the alarm

Dec 14 2012 by Maurice Coyne, East Kilbride News

Alcohol & smoking

Last year in Scotland, smoking materials and matches were the primary cause of more than one in 12 accidental house.

Added to this, alcohol and/or drugs were suspected to be a factor in at least one in six home blazes.

To cut the chances of a house fire make sure you take the following simple steps:

● Stub out cigarettes properly in an ashtray making sure there’s no smoke.

● Pour water on cigarette ends before putting in an outdoors bin.

● Never leave a cigarette, cigar or pipe unattended.

● Don’t balance cigars or cigarettes on the edge of an ashtray or anything else in case they tip and fall.

Alcohol & sleepiness

In many fires started by cigarettes, people have also been drinking and are sleepy.

Take extra care if you’ve been drinking alcohol.

And alwasy avoid cooking while under the influence of alcohol, especially if you’re home alone.

Never smoke in bed

Don’t smoke in your chair or bed if you’ve been drinking or feel sleepy

If you do feel sleepy, smoke outside and standing up.

Matches & lighters

Matches and lighters are obviously meant for lighting fires. But make sure that they only start the ones you want. Here’s how:

● Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.

● Keep matches away from heat sources.

● Buy safety matches - the ones that only light when struck on the box.

● Buy lighters with safety locks and ones that go out when you let go of them.

● Don’t throw used matches straight in the bin

● Buy a flameless “spark” lighter.