Heating your home

Each year, we attend around 30 heating-related fires in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. While staying warm is essential, using heating equipment incorrectly or carelessly can lead to serious and preventable fires. 

No matter how you heat your home, following a few simple precautions can help protect you, your family, and your property. 

• Keep heaters at least one metre away from anything flammable 
• Never leave heating appliances unattended 
• Do not use outdoor heaters or barbecues indoors 
• Have your chimney and heating systems serviced by a qualified professional 
• Ensure you have working smoke alarms on every floor of your home 

• Always switch off portable heaters before going to bed or leaving the room 
• Keep well away from bedding, curtains, clothes, or other flammable materials 
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions 
• If you are unsure about safety, turn the heater off and consult a qualified engineer 

• Ensure your gas fire is installed, maintained, and serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer 
• Never block air vents or flues, as this can cause dangerous gas build-up 
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for lighting, operating, and turning off your fire 
• Never use your gas fire to dry clothes or warm bedding 
• If you suspect a gas leak, turn off the appliance immediately, ventilate the room, and call the gas emergency number: 0800 111 999 

• Only use fuel specifically designed for bioethanol fires 
• Never refill a burning or hot burner; wait until it has completely cooled 
• Keep flammable materials away from the fire at all times 
• Avoid overfilling the burner to prevent spills and flare-ups 
• Always ensure adequate ventilation when using a bioethanol fire