Don't burn the house down!

On average every year over 70 people are killed and 250,000 are injured carrying out DIY jobs. This Easter weekend Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are warning, ‘Don't be a DIY disaster - Think, take care, be safe... Don't burn the house down’!

General safety tips while undertaking DIY include:

• Ensure children and pets are safe before you start work. 
• Always uncoil electrical extensions fully when they are used, if not they can overheat and may cause a fire – and make sure any appliance plugged into it is fitted with an appropriate fuse. 
• Always use a Residual Current Device (RCD), which is designed to switch the power off if a fault occurs and never use multi-way adapters when using electrical tools. 
• Don’t leave unattended electrical tools plugged in. 
• If you have to use flammable liquids, or materials producing flammable fumes, use them in small quantities following the manufacturers guidance, in a well ventilated area, away from ignition sources. 
• Work on gas equipment or electrical circuits should only be undertaken by a trained contractor.

Assistant County Fire Officer Jim Owen said, “Easter weekend is an ideal opportunity to do that quick job that could save your life, ‘fitting a smoke alarm’. Too many homes that have fires have no working smoke alarm*. If you have a fire in your home, a smoke alarm will buy you valuable time. Time to put your escape plan into action. Time to get your family to safety”.

Modern smoke alarms are neat and unobtrusive. They cost around £5 to £8. You don’t need to be a DIY expert to fit one. You do need to fit a battery. Six essential smoke alarm tips to help keep you and your family safe from fire are:

• Fit smoke alarms on every level of your home. 
• Check the battery once a week. 
• Replace the battery every twelve months. 
• Battery smoke alarm units should be replaced every ten years. 
• Consider installing extended life battery smoke alarms or mains-powered alarms. 
• Do not put smoke alarms in the kitchen or bathroom. 
• For a free Home Fire Risk Assessment call 0800 555 815 or for further information about smoke alarm maintenance and fire safety advice this spring visit www.safe4spring.com