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Fire protection at home

Reduce common fire hazards

It is often the everyday things that cause fires in the home. Here are some ways to reduce common fire hazards at home:

Illustration showing things that can catch fire on the stove and a red cross over a person leaving the room.

Do not place anything that can catch fire near or on the stove. When you are cooking, do not leave the kitchen with the stove turned on. Install a stove guard.

Illustration showing ash thrown in a bag with a red cross over.

 

Ash and residues from a fireplace or a grill should be stored in a metal container with a lid. Do not throw hot ash directly into the garbage bag.

Illustration showing a person blowing out a candle. Another candle is placed by the curtain with a red cross over.

Put out candles when you leave the room. Never leave candles unattended. Do not place candles close to things that can burn.

Illustration showing a broken wire with a red cross over.

Do not use equipment with broken plugs or damaged wires.

Illustration showing clothes on an elecrtric radiator with a red cross over.  

Never place clothing or any other items on or near electric radiators or heating devices as this may cause a fire.

Illustration showing red crosses ove boxes, recycle bins and prams in a stairwell.  

Stairwells should be free from things that can burn, for example newspapers, cardboard boxes, bicycles and prams. Keep doors to the basement and attic locked.

 

  • Never smoke in bed or somewhere else where you risk falling asleep. Wet the contents of the ashtray before emptying.
  • Make sure children cannot get hold of matches or lighters.

Protect yourself from fire

Smoke detectors save lives

A smoke detector gives a rapid alarm if a fire starts. Then you have time to extinguish the fire or get out if needed. Have at least one smoke detector on each floor.

Illustration showing a smoke detector in the ceiling.

A smoke detector should be fitted on the ceiling.

Illustration showing a finger that pushes button on smoke detector.

Test your smoke alarm every month by pressing the test button.

Illustration showing hands changing battery on a smoke detector.

Replace the battery if the smoke detector does not work when tested or if it beeps frequently.

How to use a fire extinguisher

Illustration showing hands pulling out the pin on a fire extinguisher.

Pull out the pin.

Illustration showing a person aiming at the base of a fire with the fire extinguisher.

Aim at the base of the fire.

Illustration showing person squeezing the handle on the fire extinguisher.

Squeeze the handle.

Get a fire extinguisher

A fire grows fast. During the early stages of a fire when it is still small, try to extinguish it yourself. It is important to have a fire extinguisher at home. A 6 kg powder extinguisher works best in most situations. It is also useful to have a fire blanket.

Rescue – Warn – Call 112 – Extinguish

To act in the right way can be crucial

Rescue - Warn - Call 112 - Extinguish is the normal order of the actions you should take in case of a fire. However, the real situation will determine which order is the best to follow. If there is someone with you, then you can help each other.

Illustration showing two people, inside a speech bubble there is a fire and a exclamation mark.

Rescue and warn others who may be in danger.

Illustration showing a person outside a burning buildning calling 112.

Alert the emergency services - call 112. Tell them what has happened and if anyone is injured, where the help is needed and who you are.

Illustration showing a person using a fire extinguisher.

Extinguish the fire if you think you are able to do so safely.

Extinguish the fire

Illustration showing a person using a fire blanket on a fire on the stove.

Fire in a sauce pan or frying pan. Use the lid or a fire blanket to smother the fire. Never use water. Water causes the fire to spread.

Illustrations showing a person laying a fire blanket on another person on the floor.

Fire in clothing. Try to get the person down on the floor. Smother the fire with a fire blanket or whatever is at hand. Cover from the head towards the feet.

Illustration showing a hand unplugging a vacuum cleaner on fire.

Electrical fire. Unplug before attempting to extinguish. If you have a powder extinguisher you can put the fire out immediately.

Close the door - smoke kills

Confine the fire

Closing doors on your way out slows the spread of fire, giving you more time to safely escape. First make sure that everyone has escaped.

Illustration showing a person crawling out from a room with fire and smoke.

If there is a fire and you cannot extinguish it – get out.

Illustration showing a person closing the door.

Close the door.

Illustration showing a person outside a burning buildning calling 112.

Alert the emergency services – call 112.

Never go out into a smoke-filled stairwell

An apartment door normally resists fire for about 30 minutes. Never go out into a smoke-filled stairwell and never use the elevator in a fire.

Illustration showing a red cross over a person walking out to a stairwell filled with smoke.

If there is a fire in another part of the building and there is smoke in the stairwell - stay in your apartment.

Illustration showing a person calling 112 with a closed door.

Keep the door closed. Alert the emergency services - call 112.

Illustration showing a person being rescued through the window by a fireman.

The rescue services will help you out if needed.

 


Sourse and illustrations: MSB 


Senast uppdaterad 13 mars, 2023