Firefighters warn of cig dangers on No Smoking Day

More people die in fires caused by smoking than in fires with any other single cause, South Yorkshire Fire Service said.

The service also offered tips on how to avoid smoking causing fires.

A spokeswoman said: “If you smoke, you need to be aware of the fire risks and take steps to avoid them. 

“Wherever possible you should always smoke outdoors and ask other smokers to do so.”

The spokesman said those who could or would not go outdoors should follow these tips:

- Never smoke in bed—it’s just too easy to fall asleep. You fall asleep, the cigarette falls from your fingers, the bedclothes start burning and you never wake up because the fumes kill you.

- Never leave a lit cigarette–or a cigar or pipe. They can easily overbalance as they burn down, land on a carpet or newspaper and start a fire.

- Never leave a cigarette burning down on the edge of a table of shelf. Make sure the ashtray is heavy, can’t tip over easily, and is made of a material that won’t burn.