Smokers increase risk of house fire

If you or someone else in your home smokes then a new study says you should beware of the 35 per cent increase in risk that your home will have a fire.

Angela Smith, the government''s fire minister, has found that there are around 4,300 home fires every year and that each has an average cost of £25,500.

The price can sometimes be even higher with an average of 132 Brits being killed in a home fire every year and men are twice as likely to be the victims.

Ms Smith said: "These are shocking facts and should act as a deterrent to all those smokers out there.

"A little extra care will mean fewer lives lost or put at risk and fewer households losing their homes and treasured mementoes."

You can avoid a fatal fire at home through prevention, detection and escape. Buy smoke alarms for every level of your house and maintain them well.

Plan and know your escape route, making sure everyone else does too, and practice general household safety by always remembering to put cigarettes well out before you go to bed.


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