HAPPY NEW YEAR - 08/01/2020

RANA Risk Management wishes all our Clients a Happy New Year

We at RANA are offering advice on how everyone, especially older people, can keep warm and protect themselves from the threat of accidental fires in the home. By following the simple advice contained on this web page you can help to reduce the risk of having a fire in your home this winter.

Winter Safety Tips:

During these winter months RANA risk management is urging people to stay safe and protect their homes from fire by following these fire safety tips:

Heaters

• Always position heaters so the back is against a wall and they're facing the room. If possible, secure them to the wall to prevent them from falling over.
• Switch heaters off if you're not in the room and also when you go to bed.
• Portable gas heaters should have the cylinders stored and changed outside or in a well ventilated atmosphere.
• Both gas and paraffin heaters should only be used in a well ventilated area. They consume oxygen from the atmosphere and can cause death by asphyxiation (suffocation), if not adequately ventilated.
• Don't place heaters near curtains or furnishings and never use them for drying clothes.

Chimneys

• Sweep the chimney before use if you haven't used it for sometime.
• Sweep at least once a year if you burn coal or at least twice a year if you burn logs.
• Always keep a fire guard in front of a burning fire.
• Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Never use petrol or paraffin to light your fire.

Electric Blankets

• If a blanket has scorch marks or exposed elements, it should not be used. Over blankets are designed to be left switched on, whilst under blankets must be switched off before getting into bed.
• If your blanket is more than 10 years old or if it shows signs of wear and tear, the best advice is to get a new one.
• When buying a new electric blanket, ensure it has 'overheat protection', which will cut off the electricity if it becomes too hot.
• Electric blankets should carry the British Standard Kitemark and the British Electrotechnical Approvals Board (BEAB) symbol on them.
• Have your blanket checked by an expert once every three years or as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Don't fold electric blankets. Protect the wiring inside them by storing them flat or rolled up.
• Don't leave an electric blanket switched on all night, unless it is thermostatically controlled so it can be used all night.
• Never use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric blanket, even if the blanket is switched off.