Dangerous Mistakes

Just because you've done something for years doesn't make it safe. Here are some simple, ordinary and dangerous habits.

Smoking in bed

Every year people fall asleep smoking and start a fire. They're often killed. It's also dangerous to smoke when you're feeling sleepy or if you've been drinking.

Leaving cigarettes burning

Cigarettes burn at up to 700C, and they can start fires extremely quickly.

Letting children reach matches and lighters

Children find matches and lighters irresistible. Every year thousands of fires are started by young children.

Underestimating the risk of candles

Candles should be put in a proper holder that won't fall over. They need to be on a heat-resistant surface, especially if they're tea lights.

It's never a good idea to leave candles burning in a room without anyone there. Extinguish them carefully, and make sure they're completely out.

Overfilling chip pans

It's dangerous to fill them more than a third full. If the oil starts to smoke don't put food in - leave the pan to cool. Make sure the food you're cooking is dry.

Every week nearly 90 people are injured by chip pan fires.

Leaving saucepans unattended

If you're called away from the cooker, don't leave pans on the heat. It's the easiest thing in the world to forget about them.

Turn handles so they don't stick out.

Getting too close to heaters and fires

It's dangerous to sit nearer than one metre (three feet) from a heater or open fire. Put drying clothes a safe distance from heaters or fires - at least a metre. Don't dry clothes on heaters or fire guards. Also, avoid putting a portable heater where it can be knocked over.