Safety

Fire alarm is a legal requirement and one of the most important safety devices in the home. Its purpose is to warn of a fire early and protect both the residents and neighbours of the house. The fire alarm must not be removed or covered, and it should always be in working order.

From 2026 onwards, according to the Rescue Act, the property owner is responsible for acquiring fire alarms. However, the resident is responsible for ensuring the fire alarm is functioning: the device should be tested regularly and cleaned, for example, by vacuuming.

We recommend testing the fire alarm about once a month by pressing the test button on the device. The signal sound indicates that the alarm is working correctly. If the alarm does not make a sound, you should react immediately by submitting a fault report through the My Lumo service.

Fire safety in the home can also be improved with a fire blanket, which is recommended to be kept easily accessible, for example in the kitchen or near household appliances.

Open flames should never be left unattended, not even small candles. It is important to remind children about the dangers of fire and keep matches and lighters out of their reach.

There are many easily flammable materials in the home. Textiles, furniture cushions and electronics can ignite quickly, so it is worth paying attention to the placement of lighting and electrical appliances. Lamps must not be allowed to fall onto textiles or furniture. Fire-hazardous substances should not be stored in the apartment.

The kitchen is one of the most common fire risk areas in the home. A fire started on the hob can spread quickly to the cooker hood and ventilation duct. While cooking, the hob should not be left unattended, even for a moment, as overheated grease is especially prone to catching fire. If a grease fire occurs, it should be put out with a metal lid, fire blanket or for example a rug, never with water.

In the kitchen, it is also worth considering the placement of the toaster and keeping it away from combustible materials.

No belongings may be stored in stairwells or storage corridors. Items in stairwells and storage routes can block the way out if there is an emergency and, when burning, produce toxic smoke.

All items should be kept in your apartment, in designated outdoor equipment or pram storage rooms, or inside storage lockers.

It is worth remembering that only your own home insurance covers residents’ property in the event of, for example, a fire, burglary or other accident. The property’s insurance does not cover personal belongings of residents. Read more about the home insurance >

Nowadays, a large proportion of fires in homes originate from electrical appliances. Lithium-ion batteries used in rechargeable devices can ignite if they overheat. Battery fires are particularly dangerous as they are difficult to extinguish and produce toxic gases.

When charging devices, it is important to monitor charging and unplug the charger when it is not in use. Use only chargers from reliable manufacturers and charge devices so that they are not in contact with easily flammable materials. If a device becomes hot, bulges, leaks or smells unusual, stop using it immediately.

Electric vehicles and their batteries must not be charged in storage areas. Batteries should be removed and charged in your apartment. The charging location should be carefully chosen: there should be no easily flammable materials nearby, and the place must not be at an emergency exit.

The most common cause of an electric sauna fire is a textile placed on the sauna stove to dry or accidentally dropped onto it. Clothes or towels must not be dried on or near the sauna stove, and drying racks should not be installed in the sauna.

When switching the sauna on and when leaving it, always ensure that nothing flammable is on or near the sauna stove. Pay attention to the risks of leaving the sauna stove on for long periods, the condition of the thermostat and timer switches, as well as proper installations of the stove and ventilation.

The sauna room must not be used for storage.

The majority of accidents happen at home. Hurry, carelessness and alcohol increase the risk, especially for falls, slips and trips. It is possible to improve safety in the flat with, for example, support rails, a shower seat or a raised toilet seat, especially as you get older. Contact us through the My Lumo service if you are planning such modifications.

Falls involving children and pets can be prevented by using window safety locks and keeping the balcony door closed. Burns can be prevented with a hob guard and an oven child lock.