Helping smokers to stay safe from fire risk

We are sharing important messages for smokers who live in our neighbourhoods, to help keep them safe from fire in the home.

It’s a shocking fact that smoking is one of the top causes of accidental fires in the home, and the number one cause of accidental fire deaths in the home.

Keeping customers safe in your home is our top priority, that’s why we are sharing information from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) to help reduce smoking-related fires, injuries and deaths.

Put it out, right out

• Stub your cigarettes out properly
• Don’t leave a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe lying around. They can easily fall over and start a fire.
• Use a proper, heavy ashtray, never a wastepaper basket.
• Make sure your ashtray can’t tip over and is made of material that won’t burn.
• Keep a small amount of water in the bottom of your ashtray to make sure your cigarettes have definitely been extinguished when you stub them out.
• Dispose of your cigarettes carefully.
• Ensure that contents of ashtrays are cold before they are emptied into a suitable bin outdoors. Putting water on ashes or butts is a good idea.

If you would like free, personalised home fire safety advice, please visit the GMFRS website to complete their online assessment and find out if you are eligible for a Home Fire Safety Assessment.

The best way to reduce the risk of a smoking-related fire in your home is to quit, switch to vaping electronic cigarettes or go smokefree.

But if you’re not ready, please follow advice from GMFRS to keep yourself, your household and neighbours safe.

You can find useful do and don’ts and further advice in the Fire Safety section of our website, and we will be spreading the word on our social media accounts – Facebook and Instagram.

Support to quit smoking

• Visit Make Smoking History to find information, advice and details of stop smoking support services across Greater Manchester.
• Call the NHS Stop Smoking helpline for free on 0300 123 1044.