Giving up smoking not only boosts your chances of living a longer, healthier life - even if you've smoked for 40 years - but also helps protect your home and loved ones. Smoking materials are the leading cause of fatal house fires in the UK because tobacco is designed to stay lit, making it easy for a cigarette to smoulder and ignite flammable items.
By choosing a smoke-free home, you're safeguarding yourself, your family, and even your pets from fire risks and second-hand smoke. It's a powerful step toward a safer, healthier future.
Safety tips if you smoke
Cigarettes burn at high temperatures and contain chemicals that keep them alight, making them a serious fire risk. But small changes in habits can make a big difference. Here’s how:
- Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars, or pipes unattended. They can easily tip over and ignite flammable materials.
- Use a heavy ashtray that can’t easily tip over. Always fully extinguish smoking materials and wet them before disposal.
- Empty ashtrays into a metal bin kept outside. Never put cigarettes directly into household bins.
- Keep smoking materials out of reach of children. Use child-resistant lighters and match containers.
- Avoid smoking when tired, under the influence of alcohol, or taking medication. These increase the risk of falling asleep while smoking.
- Never smoke in bed. Bedding is highly flammable and fires can spread rapidly.
- Clean ashtrays regularly. Don’t let ash or cigarette ends build up.
- Never smoke if you are on oxygen therapy.
Quit smoking
If you would like to quit smoking, call the NHS Stop Smoking Helpline on 0800 1690169 or visit the Go Smoke Free website
Vaping
E-cigarettes and vapes can reduce smoking-related risks, but they still come with fire dangers if batteries and chargers are misused.
- Buy products from reputable supplers.
- Always use the charger supplied with your device.
- Avoid overcharging and never leave vapes charging overnight or near to exits.
- Keep spare batteries in a protective case - as they can easily become damaged.
- Dispose of old or damaged batteries responsibly at recycling points, never in household or street bins.
- If a battery overheats, swells, or leaks, stop using it immediately.
- Never modify or adapt any associated kit for your e-cigarette and vape.
- Never use a vaping device close to medical oxygen, flammable emollient creams or airflow mattresses.