How to avoid accidents at home

This page covers:

• fire safety
• gas and solid fuel safety
• electrical safety
• staying safe in the kitchen
• water safety.

Fires can start suddenly and spread quickly. As we get older, we may become more vulnerable to fires due to reduced mobility and loss of hearing, sight, smell or touch. Keeping up with home maintenance may become more difficult and our ability to detect fires can be reduced. 

Getting help with fire safety

Most local fire stations offer free Safe and Well visits, also called home fire safety checks. If you’re eligible, they’ll assess your home for risks, help you work out an escape plan, and may also fit smoke alarms or test any that you have. You can find the contact details for your local fire and rescue service on the Chief Fire Officers Association website.

You can get safety tips from gov.uk/fire-safety-in-the-home or see our Home safety guide.

What to do if there's a fire

Try to stay calm and follow the fire service advice to get out, stay out and call 999. If you live with other people, try to alert them without endangering yourself. Don’t attempt to put the fire out – leave it to the fire service. And don’t go back in until you’ve been told it’s safe. You can also call if you can smell burning but don’t know where it’s coming from.

All your gas appliances should be installed, serviced regularly and safety checked every year by a registered gas engineer. If you’re renting, your landlord is responsible for this. By law, all gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register. 

You may be able to get a free gas safety check from your supplier if you’re over State Pension qualifying age and receive certain benefits. Contact your supplier to find out if they provide this service and ask to be put on their Priority Services Register. To check your State Pension age, visit Gov.uk.

If your appliance uses solid fuel such as coal or wood, you should have it cleaned and serviced regularly by a HETAS registered installer. You can get more information about solid fuel safety from the Solid Fuel Association. If you use an oil appliance, contact OFTEC.

Carbon monoxide

Unsafe gas, oil and solid fuel appliances can produce carbon monoxide which is extremely dangerous and can be fatal. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to a cold, the flu, a virus or food poisoning and may include headaches, stomach pain, tiredness and shortness of breath. You can’t see, smell or taste carbon monoxide but there may be some warning signs, such as dark staining on or around appliances, or a pilot light that keeps going out. 

Make sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home. If you rent, remember that your landlord is responsible for this. If you have a hearing impairment, you could consider installing a visible or vibrating carbon monoxide alarm. 

For more information about gas safety, contact hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic.

If you suspect a gas or carbon monoxide leak, call the free national gas emergency number 0800 111 999.

Electricity can cause fires and electrical accidents can be fatal. You can avoid many risks by doing simple things – for example, checking your electrics for faults like frayed cables or unusual noises or smells. Unplug appliances when you're not using them, although keep in mind that some medical equipment will need to stay plugged in.

Never overload sockets, extensions or adaptors. Check you’re not going over the maximum load using Electrical Safety First’s online socket overload calculator tool. Register white goods and other electrical appliances, including second-hand products, with the manufacturer or registermyappliance.org.uk so you can find out if there’s a safety issue. 

It’s recommended that you get your wiring checked by a registered electrician within ten years of installation and every five years after that. Buy electrical appliances with a British or European safety mark, and if you use an electric blanket, get it tested every three years.

Get more advice about electrical safety from Electrical Safety First or see our Home safety guide.

Avoiding accidents

Arrange your work surfaces so the things you use most are to hand and clear a space near the cooker so you can put pans down easily. Try to use the back rings on the cooker or hob when you’re cooking so you don’t knock pan handles.

Use a step stool or ladder with a handrail to reach things in higher cupboards. Never stand on a chair.

For more advice on avoiding falls, see our webpage Staying steady on your feet.

Kitchen aids and adaptations

There are many small aids and gadgets that can help you stay safe in the kitchen, such as kettle tippers, tap turners and reaching tools. You can also get special equipment if you're living with sight or hearing loss. You can get more information from Living made easy.

If you think you’d benefit from some home adaptations, for example, having your kitchen cupboards or work surfaces lowered, contact your local council for a free care needs assessment. See our factsheet Adapting your home to stay independent for more information.

Using appliances to help with heating costs

Never use a cooker to heat a room. If you’re struggling to afford heating bills, you may qualify for Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payments or other benefits. Call our Helpline for a benefits check or try our benefit calculator. Our free guide Moneywise has more suggestions for ways to boost your income and save money.

A bath or washbasin can quickly overflow if you leave it unattended. To prevent a flood at home, you could get devices that stop a bath or washbasin overflowing, or sound a warning alarm if you’ve forgotten to turn the taps off. You could also get a flood detector, which can also alert you to burst pipes and leaks, as part of a telecare package. This could be from your local council or bought privately. 

Make sure you know where your mains water stop tap (stopcock) is and how to use it. This turns off the cold water. Keep it clear so you can get to it easily in an emergency such as a burst pipe.