Live safely in a rental home: how to reduce the risk of fire?
Small, everyday actions can significantly lower the risk of fire. By following these tips, you can contribute to a safer living environment and help prevent fires from starting.
Fires can ignite surprisingly easily in daily life, often due to unnoticed, routine actions. Yet, even one fire is too many.
In collaboration with insurance company Turva, we've compiled a list of factors that affect fire safety in everyday life. Review the list and reflect on your habits: Are your daily routines regarding fire safety up to date, or are small risks not noticed?
Fire detectors
Fire detectors are crucial for your own safety and that of your neighbours. Smoke alarms are mandatory by law, and it is the occupant's responsibility to ensure they are installed. However, from the beginning of 2026, the responsibility for acquiring, installing and maintaining smoke alarms will shift to the building owner.
Remember to test your smoke alarm using a button once a month to ensure it works properly.
Candles
Candles create a cosy atmosphere on dark evenings, but they should only be burned in rooms where you are present. Always put out candles by smothering them when leaving the room for an extended period.
Place candles safely, ensuring no flammable material, like curtains or tablecloths, is nearby. Candles should always be burned on a non-flammable surface, indoors, on balconies, or on terraces.
It's also essential to put out outdoor candles at night, as fires starting outdoors can be particularly dangerous due to the difficulty of detecting them in time.
Cooking
It's important to stay alert and never leave food unattended on the stove when cooking. Overheating oil, for instance, can easily catch fire. In case of a grease fire, smother it with a pot lid, blanket, or fire blanket — never use water. It's also important to consider the placement of the toaster in the kitchen and not place it directly underneath the cupboards.
Keep the stove clear of unnecessary items, and ensure no flammable materials are nearby.
Cooker hood
Dust and grease can accumulate in the filter of your cooker hood, posing a fire risk. You should clean the grease filter regularly, at least every three months. Dust and grease fires spread quickly and are difficult to extinguish, so regular cleaning routines play a vital role in keeping your home safe.
Sauna
The sauna is for relaxing, not a storage space for laundry or other items. To ensure safety, ensure no textiles or objects are near the stove. Before using the sauna, double-check that nothing inappropriate has been left on the stove. After using the sauna, turn off the stove and check the thermostat and timer switches regularly.
Smoking
In some buildings, smoking is still allowed on apartment balconies or yards. If so, ensure the area is well-ventilated, and always dispose of your cigarette in a non-flammable, covered container. A smouldering cigarette can quickly start a fire.
Living in a Lumo home
Smoking is prohibited in all communal indoor areas, shared balconies, and near children's play areas. Smoking is also banned inside Lumo apartments if the tenancy agreement was signed after May 1, 2011.
In response to our residents' wishes, we have decided that all new tenancy agreements will be made smoke-free from June 1, 2024. This means that Lumo homes will become smoke-free one apartment at a time in buildings that are not already completely smoke-free. This change will not apply to agreements made before June 1, 2024.
Household appliances
Large appliances, such as refrigerators and freezers, tend to collect dust, which increases the risk of an electrical fire. Your fridge's back, and surrounding areas should be cleaned at least once a year.
Other appliances connected to the mains electricity also carry the risk of short-circuits, though this is rare. However, don't leave dishwashers, washing machines, or tumble dryers running when you're away from home. Not only does this reduce fire risk, but it also prevents potential water damage.
Electrical devices
Electrical devices are among the most common causes of electrical fires. Lithium-ion batteries used in rechargeable devices can overheat and cause fires, which can be difficult to extinguish.
When charging devices, it's essential to prioritise safety to avoid any potential hazards. Constantly monitor your devices while charging and unplug the charger from the socket when it's not in use. Use chargers from trusted manufacturers and ensure that devices are charged away from flammable materials. If your electrical device overheats, swells, leaks, or emits an unusual smell, stop using it immediately.
By taking these precautions, you're already taking a significant step towards a safer home. Turva also recommends having at least one fire blanket in every home. A small fire can often be extinguished entirely with early intervention.
Home insurance protects your home and its contents from unexpected damage and covers potential damages caused to others. We require all of our tenants to have home insurance, and our partner, Turva, offers insurance services at affordable rates. Learn more about Turva's home insurance here.
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