Arson Prevention Advice
Neighbours
Try to promote good relations with neighbours, especially those who overlook your property. Encourage them to contact the Police if they see intruders in your garden, or observe anything of a suspicious nature involving your home. Do the same for them.
Garden & Fencing
- Ensure any damage to fencing is repaired promptly to deter intruders.
- Where provided, side entry gates should be secured unless in use, to prevent intruders accessing the rear of your premises
- Avoid placing bins, rubbish, or other combustible items, against the walls of your home. These are a ready supply of fuel for the arsonist.
- Don't leave flammable liquids, (turps, thinners, etc), in the open. Ensure such items are locked in a shed or outbuilding unless in use.
- Sheds and garages should be well secured as they often contain tools which can be used to force entry to your home. They may also contain flammable liquids!
Intruder Alarm / Security Lighting / CCTV
- Consider providing the above security systems to deter intruders.
- If provided.... ensure they are maintained fully operational at all appropriate times.
- If using CCTV, please ensure your tapes are replaced regularly to ensure a high standard of picture quality. Remember, you may wish to provide video footage as evidence in court.
External Doors
- Fit good quality external doors
- Existing doors that incorporate flimsy panels can be upgraded with good quality plywood
- Ensure gaps, (particularly at the bottom), are kept to a minimum
- Five lever mortice locks are advised for external doors
Letterbox
A metal mailbox will contain most burning materials, (including fireworks), pushed through the letter flap. If the flap is well fitted and maintained properly, it will close following the introduction of a burning item, thereby restricting the oxygen supply which feeds the flames. Intumescent letter flaps and mail containers are also available, offering the added advantage of containing any liquid accelerant (such as petrol), introduced through this opening.
Wheelie Bins
As more Local Authorities across the West Midlands move from using bin bags to wheelie bins for their refuse collections several factors will need to be taken into account to counteract the potential for fires and serious injuries to residents.
In areas where wheelie bins have been used for some time serious problems have been experienced resulting in five deaths nationally.
It is therefore crucial to observe the following advice:
- Store wheelie bins out of sight and behind locked gates
- If this is not possible secure your bin away from your property
- Do not place bins out until the day of collection and secure it again as soon as possible after collection
- Do not place bins close to doors or windows etc. any fire in the bin could spread easily to your property
- Don't make it easy for arsonists
- Don't place wheelie bins where they can be used for gaining access to your property
Home Security
- Maintain a rigid 'lock-up' regime whenever your home is vacated
- Be aware that burning materials are sometimes introduced into homes through open ground floor windows. Close them if no one is home and consider fitting window locks
Fires Which Have Been Discovered Burnt Out
- Always request Fire Service attendance, (using the '999' system), for any incidence of fire, even when it appears a fire has self-extinguished.
- The Fire Service are constantly looking for patterns, or trends, in respect of all fires.
- The Arson Task Force specifically look for patterns where fires are caused by deliberate ignition. Your fire could be the missing 'piece' from the 'jigsaw'!
Insurance Cover
Make sure you have adequate insurance cover for your home and contents
For further information on the above products or services, please refer to your local trades directories or press
You may also wish to consider the following points to protect your family from fire, whether caused accidentally or deliberately.
- Fit and maintain smoke detectors in your home. They should be tested monthly and the batteries changed yearly.
- Pre plan a fire escape route with all family members
- Close all doors at night to keep smoke and heat out of escape routes
- Avoid storing items on the staircase, they will present a trip hazard to those escaping in smoke or darkness
- Be aware that double glazed units are difficult to break. In an emergency, they should be struck in a corner with a sharp object
- In the event of fire. Get out!... Stay out!... Call the Fire Service!