Firefighters support No Smoking Day

HFRS wants to remind smokers that smoking does not just pose a risk to their health – but to everyone else in their household, and the property itself.

Community Safety Manager Steve Duffield said: “Smoking is the single biggest cause of fire deaths in the UK so it is important we support No Smoking Day, as giving up greatly reduces the chances of having a fire at home. Apart from the health benefits, if people want an extra reason to try and give up smoking then thinking about the fire dangers associated with cigarettes and smoking materials is a good place to start. It is vital that smokers understand how dangerous smoking at home can be.

“Unfortunately our Firefighters witness first-hand the damage and devastation caused by fires in the home started by smoking materials and while a property can be replaced a life cannot.”

Other advice is to have working smoke alarms fitted on every level of the home and to introduce an escape plan to everyone living in the household in case a fire breaks out.

“We would always advise people to smoke outside of their property but we accept some people do smoke in their home and I would urge them to be extra careful by ensuring cigarettes are stubbed out properly before going to bed, in an ashtray not a bin. Our message is to never smoke in bed or leave a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe unattended as they may overturn and start a fire,” Steve added.

Other smoking safety tips include:

Never smoke in bed

Always use a proper ashtray, never put cigarettes directly into a bin

Don’t leave a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe lying around. They can easily fall over and start a fire.

Take extra care if you smoke when you are tired, taking prescription drugs or if you have been drinking.

Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.

But most of all, put it out, right out