5 rooms in your home that are biggest fire hazards

In 2011, a third of all fires in the UAE were residential fires.

With a number of fire hazards in every corner of the household and the vast portion of our time spent at home, it is important to take the necessary precautions.

Here are some tips to avoid a fire in all corners of the house.

The kitchen

The kitchen is one of the places in our homes that is the biggest fire hazard.  According to Dubai Civil Defence, the cooker, exhaust fan, and gas cylinder are the main fire hazards in this part of the home.

Your cooking should never be left unattended. Although we might think that our pots and pans are safe and grounded on the stove, a disaster can happen in a couple of seconds. This is especially the case when frying your food, as grease can easily catch fire.

When a stove is on fire, it should be shut off immediately, and the stove door should remain closed until the fire is doused.
A fire in a pan should be doused with a lit, and not with water as some might find a logical response.

Water can scatter the hot or burning fat.

An exhaust fan may look safe and harmless, but can be a potential fire hazard. When left unclean, enough grease can be accumulated, and grease is flammable.

Just as grease, clutter, hairspray, bug spray, or air freshener can catch flame.

A kitchen should be cleaned from such substances regularly.

A gas cylinder is often kept in the kitchen.

This is safe when it is placed in a well-ventilated location and not exposed directly to the sun or other heat sources. It should not be placed near an electrical socket or flammable substance.

When you observe the smell of gas, there might be a leak in the LPG equipment. This is dangerous as it can lead to fire or explosion. It is important not to use a match a lighter to detect the leak, because this may induce a fire. Instead, use a soap water solution instead. Further, open windows and doors for ventilation, close nearby ignition sources and tightly close the gas valve.

The living room

Electrical outlets are the main hazards in the living room. This starts with the wiring in a house. All internal and external electrical wires must be insulated.

Electrical sockets must be switched off when not in use, and electrical wires should be removed from the socket when they are not connected to any working device.

A laptop is often left attached to the socket, even after is has been shut down.
Apart from electrical sources, sometimes items that hold fire exist in the living room.

Think of candles, or incense burners; these should always be placed at a safe distance from flammable items, out of reach from children or pets and never be left unattended.

The bathroom

In the bathroom the exhaust fan and the heater are both potential fire hazards. As the exhaust fan accumulates grease in the kitchen, it can accumulate lint in the bathroom if not cleaned periodically.

If the exhaust motor overheats the lint can be ignited and cause a fire.

A water heater causes a hazard when it does not comply with the latest safety standards. Unfortunately, not all heaters installed in UAE households do, and several risks, therefore, exist.

There is a risk of fire, if the plastic parts or components are not fire and heat resistant.

If the wire size is not correct, or insulations are not properly in place electrocution or fire can occur. And one could get injured if the water heater is overheated, which occurs if an appropriate heating element and thermostat are lacking.

Electrical devices

Electrical devices form a serious threat. There are many devices that can cause a fire if not designed properly. Especially devices involving heat can be hazardous, such as the iron, water heater or lamps. Also the refrigerator, the AC or isolated switches can be come under this category.

In order to be sure of the electrical equipment you house, it is important to check whether it has been approved by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation & Metrology (Esma), which has been on a drive to regulate and monitor all equipment in the UAE.

Further, replace all frayed wires, and remove worn, old, or damaged appliance cords from the house.

Three-pronged plugs should be plugged in three-slot outlets and two-slot plugs into two-slot outlets.

Cigarettes and barbeques

A number of residential fires have been reported to be caused by a cigarette butt, or other burning item that was disposed from the balcony. In some cases, this has led to entire buildings being burnt down.

A finished cigarette might look doused but may still contain heat. The best way is to snuff it out is by using sand or water, and to dispose properly after some time.

If you are feeling the slightest bit drowsy due to sleep deprivation, medication, or any other reason - put out your cigarette immediately.

A barbeque should never be used in confined places, and in most emirates, the use of a barbeque on the balcony is forbidden, so is smoking shisha. In many buildings there are designated places for a barbeque dinner.

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