Fire safety should be a priority for you and your occupants all year round, however with a higher reliance on electrical items during the colder months, you should pay particular attention to fire safety in winter.  

With colder temperatures leading to increased use of electric heaters, the growing reliance on lithium-ion batteries, coupled with the fact that we spend more time indoors during winter, it’s unsurprising that 90% of dwelling fires in 2023/2024 were accidental.  

So, how can you minimise these risks? Here’s our guide to fire safety in the winter. 

Avoid overloading electrical outlets 

Laptops, phone chargers, monitors, TVs, heaters… it’s tempting to use extension leads to power multiple devices simultaneously. However, overloading an outlet can cause it to overheat, leading to the risk of a fire. 

To prevent this, distribute your devices across several power outlets and consider using surge protection devices. These divert excess electrical energy, reducing the risk of overheating and fire. 

Protecting your fire extinguishers  

According to the government’s 2024 analysis of fires, events such as chimney fires spike during the winter months, so ensuring that your fire extinguishers are maintained is paramount for safety in case of an emergency. 

Ensure they are inspected monthly and professionally maintained annually. You should also safeguard your fire extinguishers by storing them properly. They need to be accessible and visible, placed in locations prone to fire risk and clearly labelled.  

Regular fire door surveys and inspections  

Fire doors may look like standard doors, but they are designed to prevent the spread of a fire with features such as intumescent strips and self-closing mechanisms. Depending on their rating, they can resist flames for 30 to 60 minutes. 

By law, fire doors must be installed in all non-domestic properties and multi-occupancy buildings such as flats. They should be inspected at least every six months, as non-compliance can result in fines due to the safety risks posed to occupants. 

During inspections, the following key areas are assessed: 

• Certification  

• Apertures 

• Gaps and seals 

• Closers  

• Operation  

Our trained experts understand fire doors and the importance they have on overall fire safety. From installation and inspecting to testing and maintenance, we’re on hand to keep your occupants safe and your fire doors working.  

Testing your smoke and fire alarm 

The next best step to preventing a fire is detecting it early, which is why working smoke or fire alarms are crucial. Fires where a smoke alarm was not present accounted for 24% of all dwelling fires in 2024*, which begs the question – how many could have been prevented if a working alarm was present?  

Ensure you have a fire or smoke alarm fitted on every floor and test it weekly – simply press the built-in test button or refer to the manual for more detailed guidance. 

* Source: FIRE0702 

Create a fire evacuation plan  

It’s a legal requirement for all commercial buildings to have a fire evacuation plan in place, so that if a fire did start, occupants could get out safely. Read our blog on fire evacuation plans to find out more about what they are and how to create one.  

Education and practice  

The most viable tool to protect yourself from fire is education. From residents to employees, it’s important we all know the risks that could easily lead to a fire and how to effectively mitigate them.  

Whether you need a fire warden course or training in fire safety management, our fire safety training is the best resource to equip you with all the knowledge you and your employees need to house a safe and secure environment. 

Staying safe in winter 

Contact us today to discuss our services. From student accommodation, education and healthcare to commercial, social housing and hotels and leisure, we’re here to help you keep your premises safe during winter.