Published 12 June 2025
How to keep your home safe from fire
- What is the most common cause of a house fire?
- How to stop a fire starting in your house
- What should you do if there’s a fire in your home?
Fire is one of the most devastating things that can happen to your home. Luckily, with some simple knowledge, the correct home insurance and some fire-proofing, you can reduce the risk of fire in your home.
What are the most common causes of a house fire?
Unfortunately, house fires happen more frequently than we think, with The London Fire Brigade stating that:
- Around 60% of fires in the home start in the kitchen.
- You’re almost 12 times more likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm.
- Over five years, more than 800 fires were caused by electrical heaters.
So, let’s take a look at the key fire hazards in your home, and the steps you can take to prevent them from becoming a fire…
1. Fire in the kitchen
There can be many fire hazards in the kitchen. Hot oil and fat in a hot frying pan, open flames on a gas hob, and even some appliances. But the most common cause of fire in the kitchen is due to leaving food cooking unattended. Always make sure you have a fire blanket in the kitchen - and if you discover your cooking has gone up in flames, never throw water onto a pan fire as this could make things worse. Simply turn off the heat, remove the pan, and stand back to let it cool down.
2. Plug sockets
It can be very easy to overload a plug socket. Extension leads should only be a short-term solution and multiplugs are something that should be avoided all together. Plugging in too many high-powered devices such as a washing machine can cause a fire. Make sure all plugs are properly connected with no loose connections.
3. Naked flames
Although candles can help set the scene for a romantic dinner, or form the finishing touches on a birthday cake, it’s very important to make sure a naked flame is never left unattended. So, make sure they’re kept well away from flammable materials such as curtains and soft furnishings, as it doesn’t take much for them to set alight.
4. Fire risk from cigarettes
If you’ve a lit cigarette in the home, it’s important to make sure you put it out properly. Smoking is one the most common reasons for fire fatalities in the home - they may be small but can start a big fire if they’re not properly extinguished.
5. Log burners and open fires
There’s nothing cosier than having a log fire burning and settling down to a nice book, but there are some important points to remember when lighting your fire or burner. Make sure:
- Your insurer is aware that you have a log burner or open fire.
- Your chimneys are thoroughly inspected and clean before first use.
- You put out the fire properly leaving the house or heading to bed.
How can I make my home fire-safe?
Firstly, and most importantly, you should make sure your house is fitted with a working smoke alarm that’s suitable for your home.
Make sure you buy approved smoke alarms – if you’re unsure, your local fire station can help you pick the right smoke alarm for your home. You should fit one on your hallway ceiling as a minimum, but for extra coverage you can install one in every room of your house
Check your smoke alarm works! It couldn’t be simpler to check if the smoke alarm works – just press the big button in the centre of the device - and if it beeps, you’re all set. If it doesn’t, then it’s time to change the batteries!
Next, it’s a good idea to think about your appliances…
Electrical appliances
If they have an off switch then always make sure they’re switched off at the wall and unplugged after you’ve finished using them.
Plugs
Remember to only use extension leads as a temporary measure and don’t overload your plug sockets with multi way adaptors. This can cause you to exceed the amp rating for the socket and could become a fire hazard.
Gas appliances
According to the gas safe register, most manufacturers recommend that you service all your gas appliances annually. This keeps them in the best and safest possible condition to protect your home. Here’s a guide to domestic gas cookers, oven and hobs
Fridge and Freezer
Despite their purpose to keep your food cool and frozen, these appliances actually work at their best in warmer temperatures. In an unheated garage they can’t run properly, so they can pose as a fire risk.
Electrics in the garden
As with appliances indoors, make sure any outdoor electrical appliances are unplugged after use and that any sockets you use have a circuit breaker.
What should you do if there’s a fire in your home?
Fires can still start in the home despite following all of these fire prevention tips, so it’s very important to be fully prepared in the event of a fire.
- Evacuate everyone out of the house and call the Fire Brigade.
- No matter what, do not attempt to re-enter the house. This is for your safety.
- After the fire has been extinguished, get in touch with our claims team for support.
Does my home insurance cover fire damage?
Yes, here at Allianz, we’ll cover your home and its contents for fire-related damage. For more on what we cover, check out our cover levels here.
