Smoking is a major cause of house fires. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), smoking is responsible for about one-third of all home fires. These fires can cause serious injuries and death, and they can also result in significant property damage.
There are a number of reasons why smoking is so dangerous in the home. First, cigarettes and other smoking products can easily ignite furniture, bedding, and other flammable materials – all it takes is one ash to fall from your cigarette. Second, there are significant dangers about falling asleep while smoking, which can easily lead to a fire.
If you are a smoker, the best way to reduce the risk of a fire is to not smoke in the house. Alternatively, you may want to think about quitting altogether. There are many resources available to help you quit – speak to your doctor to get the support you need.
How to Stay Protected When Smoking in the House
Here are some additional tips to help you stay safe if you smoke in the home:
- Always use an ashtray and keep it in a sturdy, non-flammable container.
- Always put your cigarettes out completely before you leave them unattended.
- Never smoke in areas where there is a lot of clutter or flammable materials.
- Be aware of your surroundings and make sure that you have a clear path to escape if a fire starts.
- Never smoke in bed. If you are prone to falling asleep while smoking, set an alarm or ask someone else to wake you up.
- Keep cigarettes and other smoking materials out of the reach of children and pets.
- Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home and test them regularly.
Protect Your Household From Fire Today
By following these tips, you can help to reduce the risk of a fire and keep yourself and your family safe.
After reading this, we hope that you are now more aware of the dangers of smoking in house fires. If you smoke, please take steps to reduce the risk of a fire and keep yourself, your family and others safe. House fires can be deadly – Don’t let a house fire destroy your life.
Contact Northants Fire today if you need any more information on protecting your household from housefires.
