Cleveland Fire Brigade has revealed the leading causes of house fires they attended last year.
By sharing this vital information, they aim to raise awareness in local communities and promote safety measures to help reduce the risk of fires in the home.
Between 1st April and 31st December 2024, the Brigade recorded 130* accidental house fires. The top five causes were:
- Combustible items too close to heat sources (23 incidents) – Examples include logs placed near log burners or items such as air fryers, tea towels and shopping bags left on hobs.
- Faulty equipment or appliances (16 incidents) – These were caused by electrical faults in appliances such as air fryers, overheating lithium-ion battery chargers, overloaded sockets, and faulty washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers.
- Cooking (15 incidents) – Fires ignited due to food left in ovens, chip pan mishaps, fat or grease catching fire, and oil from cooking trays setting alight.
- Careless handling (14 incidents) – These fires often stemmed from improper disposal of smoking materials, which led to other items being set on fire.
- Other causes (13 incidents) – Incidents included unusual scenarios like pets accidentally starting fires, such as a cat knocking over a candle and a dog turning on an oven.
To help reduce the risk of fires in your home, Cleveland Fire Brigade shares these essential safety tips:
- Ensure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them weekly.
- Keep candles in sturdy holders, away from curtains and flammable materials.
- Dispose of smoking materials properly and ensure they are fully extinguished.
- Avoid overloading sockets and never charge devices overnight.
- Refrain from drinking while cooking and never leave cooking unattended.
- Turn off ovens, hobs, grills and other appliances when finished.
- Register your appliances to stay informed about product recalls: www.registermyappliance.org.uk
The Brigade also encourages residents to book a FREE Safer Homes Visit. During this visit, their friendly team will check that your smoke alarms are working, correctly fitted, and discuss the creation of a fire escape plan for your household. To schedule a visit, call 01429 874063 or visit their website at www.clevelandfire.gov.uk/book-a-safer-homes-visit.
By following these simple steps, you can help protect your home and loved ones from fire. Stay safe!
*The information provided is accurate at the time of publishing.
