The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a number of fire safety tips to keep you and your home safe.

Do you have smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms? These alarms could help save your home, and your life. The law regarding fire safety has changed, every home in Scotland must now have interlinked alarms. For more information visit the mygov.scot website.

Have you made an emergency escape plan? Think about how you would get out of the house if you were to have a fire.

Does anyone smoke in your home? Smokers should always take care, especially if tired or have been drinking alcohol.

Do you ever light candles or tealights? Never leave a lit candle alone and make sure they are always put out properly.

Do you have gas heating or gas appliances? All council tenancies are serviced annually, tenants should ensure they allow access for this essential check.

Do you unplug and switch off appliances when you’re not using them? Any electrical appliances which are plugged into the mains could cause a fire when not in use.

Do you use electrical adaptors or strip plugs? Never use more than one adaptor in each socket, and never overload an adaptor, or join adaptors together.

For more safety tips or if you would like to receive a free home fire safety visit:

• call 0800 0731 999
• text “FIRE” to 80800 from your mobile phone
• visit www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety

Protecting you and your home

As highlighted above, fires in homes are on the increase and in recent years there has been a number of fires in council homes, endangering life and causing extensive damage to properties.

It is important to know how to reduce the chances of fire happening in your home. As well as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service safety tips above, introducing a few simple steps into your daily routine, like testing your smoke and heat alarms weekly and closing doors at night, could save your life if there is a fire.

Personal possessions, such as furniture and belongings, are often destroyed in fires. Replacing the contents of your home could prove to be very expensive, that’s why it’s important to have home contents insurance.

Council tenants can either arrange their own home contents insurance or can take advantage of the council’s partnership with one of the UK’s largest insurers. By having home contents insurance, you are not only insured against fire loss but also theft, flooding and accidental damage (if selected).

For further details on the home contents insurance cover available through the council, contact 0303 123 1011 or go to the council website.