Skip to main content
Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath / Dublin City Council

Main navigation

  • Residential
  • Business
  • Your Council
Menu
Menu
Advanced Search

Main navigation (mobile)

  • Residential
  • Business
  • Your Council
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Residential
  3. Dublin Fire Brigade
  4. Fire Prevention and Community Fire Safety
  5. Fire Safety in the Home
Language switcher
  • English
  • Gaeilge

Fire Safety Tips for Living Rooms

Back to Fire Safety in the Home

Although it may not seem like it, the living room is a major source of fires. Approximately 11% of domestic fires start in the living room.

Share
  • Share via Twitter
  • Share via Facebook
  • Share via WhatsApp
christmas on fire in corner of a living room

In domestic fires where there is a loss of life, around 40% originate in the living or dining room. Smokers, the young, the elderly and those with impaired mobility are most at risk, with Christmas time adding to the risk of a living room fire.

Here is some practical advice on how to avoid living room fires.

Stoves, Open Fires and Chimneys

  • See our page with tips on how to use a stove or open fire safely, and advice about preventing a chimney fire in your home. 

Smoking

  • If you allow smoking in the house, provide large, stable ashtrays. A burning cigarette end can smoulder for hours before igniting
  • Ensure matches and lighters are out of children's reach
  • Do not smoke if you are feeling sleepy or have taken alcohol

Electrical leads

  • Check all electrical leads and plugs for deterioration, burning or fraying
  • Ensure there are no overloaded sockets
  • Switch off and unplug all appliances when not in use (this applies everywhere in the house)

Portable heaters

  • Be extremely careful how you use portable heaters
  • Position them away from furniture, curtains and flammable items
  • Ensure portable heaters are switched off and/or plugged out before you leave the room or go to bed at night
  • Never move portable heaters while they are in use

Candles

  • Ensure candles are in a suitable folder
  • Never leave lighting candles unattended and ensure candles are in proper holders
  • Position candles away from draughts
  • Ensure candles are not near items that may catch fire such as curtains
  • Avoid moving a lit candle
  • Ensure all candles are properly extinguished before you leave the room or go to bed

Fire Alarms

  • The fire alarm is the most important alarm in your house, it will notify you of a fire
  • Ensure they are in every room including bedrooms as you most likely will not wake up from smoke inhalation if the fire alarm is not in the room of the fire
  • Ensure fire alarms are there and working. Dublin Fire Brigade share #testittuesday on social media as a gentle reminder to check your alarms weekly
  • Fit a carbon monoxide alarm for rooms with a stove, fireplace or gas/oil boiler
Contact Details

Fire Brigade and Ambulance Service

Telephone Number
01 222 4000
Email Address
[email protected]
Share
  • Share via Twitter
  • Share via Facebook
  • Share via WhatsApp

In this Section

  • Stoves, Open Fires and Chimneys
  • Summer water safety around the home
  • Chargers - Charging your devices safely
  • Barbecue Safety
  • Fire Pit safety page
  • Fire Safety at Home Advice
  • Fire Safety Tips for Bedrooms
  • Fire Safety Tips for Living Rooms
  • Home Fire Safety Checklist
  • Kitchen Fire Safety
  • Make an Evacuation Plan
  • Fire Safety Tips for Christmas Time
Close

Main navigation

  • Residential
  • Business
  • Your Council

Footer menu

  • About Us
    • Careers
    • Who Does What
    • News and Media
    • Policies and Documents
  • Using dublincity.ie
    • Website Accessibility
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Sitemap
  • Statutory Obligations
    • Freedom of Information
    • Data Protection
    • Access to Information on the Environment
    • Protected Disclosures
    • Lobbying
    • Official Languages Act
    • Ethics
    • Public Sector Duty
    • Bye Laws
    • Sell to government
  • Get in Touch / Feedback
    • Contact Us
    • Make a Service Request
    • Make a Payment
    • Make a Complaint
    • Public Consultations

Customer Services Centre

Address

Civic Offices
Wood Quay
Dublin 8
D08 RF3F
Ireland

Telephone Number
01 222 2222
Email Address
[email protected]

Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath / Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council
Visit our other sites

© 2023 Dublin City Council