Smoking still a main cause of accidental fires

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (SYFR) said smoking related fires had remained at a similar level for the past six years.

A SYFR spokeswoman said: “While accidental house fires are reducing, fires caused from cigarettes or other smoking materials still amount to around 60 incidents per year, the same as six years ago.”

The fire service has given some basic fire safety advice:

• Never smoke in bed – it is very easy to fall asleep and allow your cigarette to set light to your bedclothes or furnishings
• Do not smoke if you are drowsy – especially if you are sitting in a comfortable chair or if you hve been drinking or taking prescription drugs. Again, it's easy to fall asleep
• Do not leave a lighted cigarette, pipe or cigar unattended – they can easily overbalance and land on the carpet or other flammable material
• Make totally sure that your butts are not still smouldering – wet them and empty your ashtray into a metal bin outside the house
• Keep lighters, matches and smoking materials out of the reach of children – you can also buy child-resistant lighters and containers for matches

Trevor Bernard, head of community safety at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said: “Smoking remains one of the biggest causes of accidental house fires, but nearly all of these can be avoided by following some basic some simple rules.

“For example, never smoke in bed, never leave a lit cigarette unattended, always ensure that cigarettes are put out properly and keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.”

For more information and fire safety advice visit www.syfire.gov.uk.

To arrange a free Home Safety Check call 0114 253 2314.

For more information on ways to help you stop smoking visit www.nhs.uk/smokefree.