You are more than twice as likely to die in a fire at home if you haven't got a working smoke alarm. A smoke alarm is the easiest way to alert you to the danger of fire, giving you precious time to escape. They are cheap, easy to get hold of and easy to fit.

The more alarms you have, the safer you and your family will be. At a minimum you should have one on each floor. However, if you have only one alarm and two floors, put it somewhere you’ll be able to hear it when you're asleep.

To keep your smoke alarm in good working order, you should test it once a week, by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds. You should also change the battery once a year (unless it’s a ten-year alarm) and replace the whole unit every ten years

If a fire occurs, it is important to get out, stay out and call 999. You shouldn’t tackle fires yourself; leave it to the professionals. Emergency equipment can be helpful, but it is important to know how and when to use it. Find out more information about fire emergency equipment in the home here.

Yes, preparing and practising a plan of action will help you act quickly if there’s a fire in your home – it could even save your and your children’s lives as you will all know what to do. Make an escape plan, explain it to everyone in the household and practise it.

Find out more about planning a safe escape here. or visit last year’s campaign website at www.nationalschoolsfiresafetyday.com, where you will find additional PLAN A SAFE ESCAPE teacher’s resources.

Ask for a home visit from your local Fire and Rescue Service as most offer a free Home Fire Risk Check to people living in their area. Fire fighters will inspect your home to help you spot any potential fire hazards and show you what to do to reduce or prevent the risk of fire. They can also help you to develop an escape plan for your property.

If there is a fire in your home you should get out, stay out and call 999. Make sure everyone in the house knows about the fire – shout and get everyone together. You should have an escape route planned that everyone in your house is familiar with. As you escape, remember:

• Don’t delay to save valuables or look for pets
• Don’t investigate the fire
• Crawl on the floor if there’s smoke - the air is cleaner near the floor, so put your nose as low as possible
• Before you open doors, feel them with the back of your hand; if they’re warm, don’t open them because the fire is on the other side
• As you go out, only open the doors you need to and close any open doors you can to slow the spread of the fire
• When you get out, call 999 and do not go back in, even if someone is still inside. If you were to go back into the building, you will slow down the fire fighters' efforts to rescue anyone else missing, as well as putting your own life in great danger.

Find out more about fire safety in the home here