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Most fatal fires happen in the home from midnight to 6 a.m. As a firefighter, I saw too many people experience tragedy because they did not take the threat of fire seriously. Please, follow these simple steps to help protect your home and family.

Make a fire plan:

Draw a plan of your house and mark the escape routes. Each member of the family and household staff should know their options for escape and practice using them. A safe area outside the house should be designated where everyone can assemble and be accounted for.

Buy fire extinguishers and learn how to use them:

Buy at least two fire extinguishers, either dry powder or carbon dioxide. Place one in the kitchen near the door, and one near the main exit from the house.

Fire safety in the kitchen:

• Keep a fire extinguisher and fire blanket near the exit.

• Keep the lid of any pot or pan being used close at hand while cooking. Submerge hot pots and pans in cold water immediately after use.

• While cooking, turn pot and pan handles inward. Use the rear burners whenever possible.

• Never fill a pan more than one-third with oil.

• Never cook while wearing loose clothing. Tie long hair back while cooking. Never leave cooking unattended.

• Keep electrical cords on the work surfaces, not hanging down.

• Do not connect more than two appliances to the same electricity outlet.

If you discover fire in your home:

• Raise the alarm and make sure everyone is out. Get out by the safest route, closing doors behind you.

• Do not stop to collect belongings. Don’t open doors with hot handles.

• If there is smoke, stay as close as possible to the ground. If clothing catches fire, STOP, DROP and ROLL.

• Call the emergency services. Summon neighbors for help.

• If safe to do so, tackle the fire using extinguishers or hoses, keeping a safe exit behind you.

• Do not re-enter the building for any reason until a fire officer says it is safe.

If you find yourself trapped:

• Stay calm. You’ll need your energy to help you survive.

• If you are trapped by flames or smoke, close the door nearest to the fire and use towels or sheets to block gaps. If the room you are in fills with smoke, stay close to the floor.

• Open the window and shout loudly to attract the attention of others who can call for help.

• If you are in immediate danger and you need to leave via a window, drop cushions, mattresses or bedding on to the ground to break your fall. Get out feet first and lower yourself to the full length of your arms before dropping, pushing away from the building.

Warning signs and threats:

• Smokers who smoke in bed or fall asleep in living areas. Lighters or matches left unattended when children are around.

• Large amounts of wood, paper or other combustibles allowed to accumulate.

• Very old electrical equipment still in use. Fuses blow for no apparent reason.

• Plugs or sockets are hot. Lights flicker. Brown scorch marks on ceilings, sockets, plugs, etc.

The major causes of fires in the home:

The vast majority of fires in the home are caused by smoking and smoking materials and by faulty wiring.

If you smoke, smoke outside and ask visitors to do the same. Get a qualified expert to check your wiring regularly.

Professional help:

If you would like to have your home inspected by a fire safety expert, e-mail info@bravo-one.org.

Eamonn Sadler is a writer and a columnist for Safety 360. He is based in Jakarta and was formerly a firefighter in Britain.