Electrical equipment and wiring are common causes of fire. Therefore, you should take suitable measures to reduce the risk. This includes testing your electrical portable appliances (PAT)as such ass lamps, kettles etc each year. The electrical installation in your premises should be subject to inspection and test at least every five years. Any work on the electrical installation should be carried out only by a competent electrical contractor. The fuse board and circuit breakers should be in good condition and correctly labelled. The use of extension cables, trailing leads and adaptors should be avoided wherever practicable.

Smoking is a common cause of fire in domestic premises and results in more fatalities than any other cause. There should be a defined policy on smoking. Your smoking policy should also address the use of vaping materials and e-cigarettes. Smoking in public spaces, such as communal rooms and corridors, within bed and breakfast accommodation is prohibited by law; you should, therefore, ensure that employees and guests are aware of this. If you do not want to permit smoking in bedrooms, signs must be displayed. In self-catering accommodation and self-contained flats, the best and safest option is to encourage people not to smoke. Persons who wish to smoke should ideally smoke outside the premises. If you allow people to smoke in your premises, suitable provisions, such as safety ashtrays and bins, should be provided for the safe disposal of cigarettes and other smokers’ materials.

Consider any risks associated with the use of heating in your property and take appropriate fire prevention measures. Heating and hot water systems should be subject to annual maintenance by a qualified contractor to ensure they are maintained in good condition. The use of portable heaters should be avoided as far as possible. If used, follow the manufacturer’s guidance on their safe use and, ideally, only use heaters fitted with automatic cutoff switches, such as electric oil-filled radiators. Avoid the more hazardous types of heaters, such as radiant bar fires or LPG heaters. Never place heaters close to combustible materials or within exit routes. Carbon monoxide detectors should be provided where living accommodation contains a gas or solid fuel-burning appliance. If you have open fires or log burners in your property you need to consider the following measures: • A fire/spark guard should be provided • The chimney should be swept at least annually • Where necessary, spark arrestors or bird guards should be provided (e.g. properties with a thatched roof) • The size of the hearth should be adequate to prevent rugs and fabrics touching hot surfaces • Any dry wood, kindling and firelighters should be stored a safe distance from heat and hot surfaces • Metal ashbins should be provided • Appropriate instructions should be given to all users and suitable procedures put in place

Ensure cooking appliances are kept clean and maintained in good condition • Instructions for the safe use of appliances should be made available for guests • Any extract filters should be cleaned on a regular basis to avoid the build-up of grease and flammable deposits • Gas appliances must be checked and serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer • It is recommended that deep fat fryers should only be permitted if they are thermostatically controlled • An LPG cooker should have cut-off devices installed on pipework from an external source to the internal cooking appliance

Candles and tea lights are a common cause of fires and, sometimes, fatalities • You should not provide candles, tea lights or ethanol burners for use by guests, and there should be a policy in place prohibiting their use. Good housekeeping is fundamental to reducing the risk of fire • Domestic waste should be removed from the property regularly, and clear instructions should be provided to guests on the safe disposal of waste • Combustible materials, such as linen and towels, should be kept clear of ignition and/or heat sources. Particular attention should be paid to areas such as cupboards or storerooms that contain ignition sources or electrical equipment • The common escape routes, including halls and staircases, must be kept clear of combustible materials or storage Furniture and furnishings provided in your premises should comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended)

If you use or store dangerous substances, such as flammable liquids or materials (e.g. petrol for lawnmowers), you will need to ensure that they are used and stored safely (ideally, outside the building in locked, metal bins) to reduce the risk of fire. Guests must either be restricted from using these or instructed on their safe use • In blocks of flats, barbecues and patio heaters should not be used on external balconies • If barbecues, patio heaters or fire pits are used in gardens, they should be sited at a safe distance from the property • If you have liquid propane gas (LPG) barbecues and heaters, they should only be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Guests must be provided with instructions for the safe use of all equipment