Brought to you by Fire Safety Week.

Lower your risk with these simple steps.

We all know someone who has suffered as a result of fire. Whether they have lost a loved one, property or even just memories to a blaze. Every year in Ireland, around 36 people will lose their lives in house fires and almost 1000 will be injured. That number is far too high. National Fire Safety Week is running from 3-10 October in a bid to help promote fire safety in the home. Here are the things you can do to protect yourself and your family from a fire. Speak up when choosing where you live The honest truth is that smoke alarms save lives. When looking at accommodation, be upfront and ask whether it has a smoke alarm and check to see that it is working. Don’t be afraid to ask if there is a fire blanket or an extinguisher located in the house as well. It is your right to know these things. Remember to respect the smoke alarm after you’ve moved in In any house, things can sometimes get knocked around and moved. Always leave the batteries inside a smoke alarm and never undo the cover and leave the smoke alarm where it is placed on the ceiling. It's a good idea to test your smoke alarm every week and replace the batteries once a year. Also wiping it clean every once in a while will make sure it is able to do its job and  potentially save your life. If an alarm goes off, react And react quickly. When a fire starts, it doubles in size every 30 – 60 seconds, engulfing whole rooms in minutes. When the smoke alarm goes off, leave the building, closing doors behind you. Don’t go back inside for any reason, your things can be replaced but you can't. When it comes to the kitchen, be smart If a fire starts in your oven or microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the unit. If oil or grease catches fire, throwing water on the flames will only make it worse, so use a fire blanket to put it out. If you’re sleepy or drowsy, if you’ve drank a lot or taken drugs, don’t take chances and start trying cooking a meal with appliances that could cause a fire. Stick to the sambos and crisps. Keep exits clear of clutter Do not block exits with objects that need to be moved like bikes or chairs. If something is blocking your way out of a building and a fire starts, it could mean the difference between escaping or not. Respect electricity and remember to turn things off Lamps and light fittings come with a maximum wattage, so stick to it. Burning a 100w bulb in a 60w lamp could lead to overheating, melting the plastic casing on the wire and starting a fire. Don’t put a scarf over a lamp shade to create an atmosphere – you might just create a fire. Don't go overboard with romantic candles If burning candles, never leave them unattended or fall asleep while they are lit. Also, put candles  into proper holders that won’t catch fire or overheat. Charge smart Be smart when charging phones and don’t overload electrical sockets. When you plug too many devices into one socket, you run the risk of overloading the circuit. This could cause it to heat up and cause a fire. Stick to one plug per socket. Don't sleep on the job Don’t go to sleep running a dishwasher or washing machine, and if you are using a dryer, remember to clean away the lint after every load, as this can lead to overheating and an eventual fire. Do one last check... Last thing at night, or when you leave the house, remember to turn off electrical appliances such as cookers, irons, hair straighteners, and chargers. Taking a minute to check could save you from a nasty surprise. This article is brought to you by Fire Safety Week