In the bedroom

E wātea ana tēnei whārangi ki te reo Māori
Tirohia ki te reo Māori

Did you know that one in six house fires start in the bedroom?

Fires that start in the bedroom are particularly dangerous, as there may be people sleeping and unaware. Here are some simple things you can do to reduce the risk of a fire starting in the bedroom:

Smoke alarms

  • Install long life photoelectric smoke alarms. These are more likely to detect fires quickly than other types of smoke alarms.
  • Install smoke alarms in every bedroom in the house, especially if you usually keep bedroom doors shut.
  • If this isn't possible, make sure you install a photoelectric smoke alarm in the hallway within 3 metres of the bedrooms.

For more information, take a look at our smoke alarm guide.

Lighting

  • Make sure you have the correct bulb size and rating (in watts) fitted in lamps, according to the manufacturer specifications.
  • Keep a torch or your phone near the bed, so you can find your way out of the house if it's dark.

Candles

Many people keep candles in the bedroom or elsewhere around the home. If not used safely, candles can be a serious fire hazard.

  • Never leave candles unattended.
  • Ensure candles are placed on a surface that won't catch on fire, like a ceramic plate or a special holder.
  • Don't let children use, light or play with candles.
  • Keep matches, lighters and anything else that can start a fire out of reach of children.

Electric blankets

  • If you use an electric blanket, make sure it lies flat on the bed and the controls or cords are not twisted or caught. Twisted cords are a common cause of electric blanket fires.
  • Worn and old electric blankets can cause serious injury. At the first sign of wear, replace the blanket or have it checked by a qualified electrician.
  • Never sleep with an electric blanket turned on, even on a low temperature. Always switch it off before you hop into bed.
  • If storing an electric blanket off the bed during summer, roll it up rather than fold it.

For more information, take a look at our guide to staying safe in winter.

Smoking

Never smoke in bed. You may fall asleep while you're smoking and if the cigarette is still alight, it could start a fire.

 

Want to make sure your home is fire safe? Use our fire safety checklist to find anything that might be putting you at risk.