Getting fire safety right while working from home

The pandemic has changed lives in every aspect, from the way we take care of ourselves to where and how we carry out our work. Now, more and more of us are working from home. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in its May 2021 analysis of attitudes towards homeworking in the UK, 85% of working adults wanted to see a hybrid approach of both home and office working in the future. Meanwhile, almost a third (32%) of businesses were unsure of what proportion of the workforce will be working from their usual place of work.

Fast forward a year and many of us continue to work from home – but fire hazards and risks exist in the home as they do in the office or place of work. With increased machinery, paper and kitchen use at home, here, we highlight four steps to ensuring employees and their families, and properties, are as protected as can be.

Identify fire risks in the home

Business premises are required by law to have an up-to-date fire risk assessment, which reviews fire risks within the building and makes recommendations to make it safer. For those working from home, whether temporarily or permanently, it’s the employer’s responsibility to advise their workforce of the procedures and considerations for health and safety in the home, including electrical equipment that has been provided. Though the employer may also want to offer further fire safety guidance regarding ignition and fuel sources around the home, such as ensuring electrical appliances (laptops, chargers and heaters, for example), cooking equipment and home office materials are regularly checked and maintained in order to ensure they are fit for purpose.

Weekly checks on smoke alarms

Each floor of the home should have at least one working smoking alarm (in rented properties, this is the responsibility of the landlord) – and once installed, they shouldn’t be forgotten about. It’s advised smoke alarms are tested weekly to ensure they’re in good working order. Business owners can advise employees to follow #TestItTuesday, which is a viral social campaign raising awareness of the importance of fire alarms and helping people to remember to undertake this simple task. Follow the hashtag for a weekly reminder.

Install a small fire extinguisher

It’s wise to have a small fire extinguisher that’s suitable for fire risks around the home while so much time is being spent there. MultiCHEM from CommanderEDGE is an ideal ABF-rated fire extinguisher capable of tackling many home fire risks, which include fuel sources like rubbish, paper and paint, as well as cooking oils found in the kitchen. Fire blankets are also handy to keep at home and provide additional protection in the kitchen or in the case of clothing fires.

Fire escape route planning

In the event of a fire, all occupants of the home should be confident of the escape route and know what action to take in getting themselves to safety. A plan should be pulled together, with information communicated to the family about which doors and windows can be opened easily, as well as any vulnerable people who will need help and the location for an outside meeting place a safe distance from the property. Discover more about evaluating emergency evacuation procedures while homeworking.

It’s wise for households to also practice their fire escape plan two or three times a year in order to ensure everyone in the household can undertake a quick and efficient escape in the event of a fire. It’s also especially important to talk to children about the actions to take in the event of a fire and practice the ‘stop, drop and roll’ technique so that they will know what to do if their clothes catch fire. Our guide offers some tips for teaching children about fire safety.

Find more information, head to our guide about fire safety in the home office. Alternatively, sign up to our newsletter to get the latest fire and safety news for your customers.