Making your home baby proof requires attention to detail - the sharp edges, trapped fingers in cupboards, trip hazards etc. However, you should also consider the house and its overall safety for you and your baby. Could there be a more serious threat to safety in your home than a fire?

We don’t think so, that’s why with these tips on fire prevention and a great range of fire safety products you can make all the necessary precautions to prevent your family being harmed by fire.

Current statistics show that on average 35 children die in house fires each year and over 1,000 are injured by fire. By making a few changes to your home you can reduce the risk of your baby becoming one of those terrible numbers.

Smoke alarms

Did you know that one in five homes still don’t have smoke alarms fitted? These units are cheap to buy and easy to install. The majority of smoke alarms use Ionisation technology meaning they detect flame fires (they typically sound when you’re cooking because of the smoke). Look for an alarm that meets the British Standard 5446 part 1 and carries a British Standard Kitemark or PCB ‘Horseshoe’ mark.

First Alert Smoke Alarm

At least one of these ionisation alarms should be fitted on every level of the house - even better is to fit one in every room of your house. Smoke alarms come fitted with a test button and you should test the alarm once a week to make sure it’s in good working order. Also ensure you replace the battery every year (pick a date that is memorable e.g. a birthday). The Fire Service recommends you replace the entire unit every ten years.

In the event of your electrics shorting out from a fire, your home could be plunged into darkness hampering any effort to escape. A smoke alarm fitted with a safety light is ideal for the hallways in your home helping to guide your family to safety.

Smoke Alarm with escape light

Another threat to your family’s safety is from carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as ‘the silent killer’ because you can’t see it, hear it or smell it. This deadly gas is caused by incomplete combustion from a faulty gas appliance (boiler, hob or fire). If the gas can’t escape from the home it will poison you and your baby. Fifty people die in the UK every year from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Some modern smoke alarm units now come fitted with carbon monoxide detectors and to avoid confusion will sound a different alarm to indicate if there is fire or CO detected.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Fire Extinguishers

Any family with a newborn baby in the home should consider fire extinguishers as an essential part of their fire safety precautions. These lightweight units are ideal for small kitchen fires or to help aid your escape.

Remember! - Even small fires can spread quickly so use your extinguisher as a means to help you escape. Never tackle a fire yourself unless you can be sure it is manageable (such as a chip-pan fire).

You should keep a fire extinguisher on every level of your home. Extinguishers should be suitable for electrical fires and all types of material fires including:

A - Wood, Paper, Cloth, Plastic
B - Flammable Liquids, Petrol
C - Gaseous Fires

First Alert Fire Extinguisher

Also consider a fire blanket which is particularly beneficial for small chip-pan fires. These blankets can be easily fitted to a wall in your kitchen and pulled into action should the need arise.

First Alert Fire Blanket

Escape Ladders

Should the worse case scenario happen whereby you and your baby are trapped in your home, have you considered how you will escape? People who live in two or three story houses may well find themselves in a bedroom with their only means of escape being out of the window.

In the event of the Fire Service not getting to you in time, you’ll need a safe exit from these upstairs rooms and an emergency escape ladder is the ideal solution. Available in two or three story options, an escape ladder needs no assembly and can attach to most windows quickly. It is also compact making it easy to store.

Emergency Escape Ladder

We hope that you’ll never find yourself in a situation whereby you’ll need to use an extinguisher or escape ladder. Doing everything you can to prevent fires in the first place will significantly reduce the chances of having to escape your home.

Other fire safety products

Fire Guards

Everyone loves the look of a hearth with an open fire or the added heat generated by an electrical heater but for a home with a newborn baby or toddler the risks are great. To ensure your little one isn’t harmed by one of these appliances use a fire guard to protect them.

Extending Fire Guard

Fire Safety Tips

Even with all these great products in your home you should still have a fire plan or escape plan if a fire occurs. Make sure everyone in the house is aware of the plan (even visitors) to ensure nobody panics if an alarm goes off.

Fire Plan

Plan your escape route and keep exits clear - It’s easier to have a route planned out then to think of one at two o’clock in the morning when the smoke alarm goes off.

When the alarm sounds, leave the house - Gather everyone together, taking extra care of babies, children and the elderly, and get out.

Stick to your route unless fire prevents you doing so - Sometimes you won’t be able to leave via your pre-planned route so consider having an “escape room”. This should be an ideal room in the house in which you could survive.

Ensure the room has a properly closing door.

The room should have a window big enough to escape out of or for a Fire-fighter to get in (keep your escape ladder in this room if it is upstairs).

Your escape room should be at the front of the house where possible so the Fire Service can see you when they arrive.

A room that has grass below it or a porch to climb onto from the window is ideal (if it doesn’t, have your escape ladder in this room).

Keep keys to doors and windows handy - And make sure everyone knows where they are.

Quick Fire Safety Tips

- Avoid lighting candles in a room unless you’re always present
- Ensure cigarettes and cigars are properly extinguished (even better, don’t smoke indoors)
- Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children
- Chip pan fires are among the most common type of fire. Consider buying a deep-fat fryer
- Don’t overload wall sockets
- If electrical cables become frayed, have them repaired or buy a new appliance
- Unplug electrical equipment when not in use
- If you use an open fire, have your chimney swept regularly
- Keep flammable objects away from sources of heat

Related articles:

Keeping your baby safe and warm during winter

Household Fire Safety

How to prevent your child being poisoned