Fire Safety

Prevention Home Safety

It is extremely important to properly maintain fire safety in the home. Experience shows that fires can be prevented with simple equipment and regular checks.

This helps ensure the safety of the family and prevents damage to the home.

Smoke Detectors
Escape Routes and Plans
Fire Extinguishers
Fire Blankets
Stay Alert to Hazards

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors are one of the simplest and most effective safety devices you can install. However, it’s important to keep a few things in mind when installing them.

Proper placement matters

A smoke detector should be placed as close to the center of the ceiling as possible and never closer than 30 cm from walls or lights.
Once the smoke detector is installed, test it by pressing the designated test button, usually marked “test”.

There are two types of smoke detectors

Ionization detectors respond quickly to smoke and are suitable for most rooms, except kitchens or laundry rooms where they may react to steam or heat.
Optical detectors also respond to smoke but are less sensitive to other changes.

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One smoke detector per room

It’s recommended to have one smoke detector in each room of the house.
It’s important to place detectors in rooms where devices are charged, such as phones or tablets.
There should also be a detector in the garage, ideally connected to those in the home.

Regular checks

It’s important to test your smoke detectors at least four times a year. Most detectors last around 10 years, but battery replacement needs vary.

Escape Routes and Plans

Every family should have a plan for leaving the home in the event of a fire. Ideally, all members help create the plan and practice it together.

There should be two clear exits from the home. Consider adding an emergency ladder or rope to ensure a second exit.
Never use elevators during a fire.
Teach young children not to hide during a fire.

All residents should know to leave immediately upon noticing a fire and to call 112 as soon as possible.
Set a meeting point outside where everyone gathers.

Fire Extinguishers

Slökkvitæki til heimilisnota henta á mismunandi tegundir elds.

Powder and light water fire extinguishers are most common in homes and businesses. They are suited for different types of fires.
Powder extinguishers are versatile and effective on fires involving solids (e.g., furniture), flammable liquids (e.g., gasoline), and gases. However, they are less effective on glowing fires in solid materials and may require follow-up with water.
Powder can be messy and may damage electronics. For small fires (e.g., in decorations), water or a fire blanket is preferable to avoid unnecessary damage. Powder can also settle in the bottom of the device, so it’s good to shake it occasionally to prevent clumping.
Light water extinguishers are also effective but not suitable for gas or metal fires. They contain water with additives that create a fine mist, making them suitable for more fire types than standard water extinguishers.
Fire extinguishers should be regularly checked to ensure the pressure needle is in the green zone.

Extinguishers should be wall-mounted with appropriate brackets for easy removal.
They should be placed near escape routes and exits, clearly visible to all.
They must be inspected at least annually, with maintenance information noted on the device itself.

Fire Blankets

There is significant fire risk when cooking with oil or fat, making a fire blanket essential in the kitchen.

Install the fire blanket in a visible, accessible location—but not so close to the stove that it’s difficult to reach during a fire.

Never pour water on an oil fire—it causes an explosion. Don’t try to carry a burning pan outside.
Place the fire blanket or a pot lid over the burning pan and seal it until the fire goes out. Protect your hands from heat as best as you can.
Turn off the stove if possible.

Stay Alert to Hazards

Most home fires are caused by electricity or electrical appliances. Caution is also needed when using gas and candles.

Electrical Appliances

General Use

Always turn off appliances after use. We also recommend cutting power to TVs when away from home for extended periods, e.g., by turning off power strips.
Never place flammable items, like pizza boxes, on stovetops, even when off.
Avoid running washing machines, dryers, or dishwashers when no one is home or everyone is asleep. Clean lint from dryers.
Don’t overload power strips or daisy-chain them. This increases fire risk. Avoid using old or worn power strips, as well as old light strings.
Do not place devices like phones, laptops, or tablets on soft surfaces (e.g., beds or couches) where they may overheat.

E-Bikes

Never charge batteries overnight or without supervision.
Always use the original charger recommended by the manufacturer. Avoid charging in enclosed storage areas with flammable materials nearby.
Charge on a hard, non-flammable surface and ensure proper ventilation.

Electrical Systems

Ef einhver vafi leikur á að rafkerfið sé í  lagi þarf að fá löggildan rafverktaka til  að kanna málið.
Gamlar og illa farnar rafmagnstöflur geta verið hættulegar, ekki síst ef þær eru úr tré eða staðsettar í skápum. Skýrar merkingar þurfa að vera í rafmagnstöflum.
Innstungur þurfa að vera vel festar og rafmagnsklær eiga að sitja tryggilega í þeim.

Gas

Þar sem gas er notað innandyra þarf að vera gasskynjari. Festa skal hann á sökkul í eldhúsi og í sambærilegri hæð í öðrum rýmum.
Skipta þarf um slöngur á um fimm ára fresti og mælum við með að þá sé annar búnaður einnig yfirfarinn.
Mikilvægt er að geyma gaskúta á vel loftræstum stöðum. Ef gas er geymt í lokuðum skáp þarf að tryggja loftræstingu bæði ofan til og viðbotn. Æskilegast er að geyma gaskúta utandyra í læstum og merktum skáp.
Fylgist vel með þegar verið er að grilla og bregðist við áður en mikill eldur kemur upp í grillinu. Gætið þess að grilla ekki of nærri timburvegg eða glugga með stórum rúðum. Skrúfið fyrir gasið að notkun lokinni.

Candles and Candle Decorations

Secure candles on stable, non-flammable bases.
Don’t place candles near heat sources like heaters or TVs. Never place candles on electronic devices.
Keep candles away from flammable materials.
Never leave burning candles unattended and don’t let children or pets near flames or matches.
Using LED candles greatly increases safety.

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Electrical Appliances

General Use

Always turn off appliances after use. We also recommend cutting power to TVs when away from home for extended periods, e.g., by turning off power strips.
Never place flammable items, like pizza boxes, on stovetops, even when off.
Avoid running washing machines, dryers, or dishwashers when no one is home or everyone is asleep. Clean lint from dryers.
Don’t overload power strips or daisy-chain them. This increases fire risk. Avoid using old or worn power strips, as well as old light strings.
Do not place devices like phones, laptops, or tablets on soft surfaces (e.g., beds or couches) where they may overheat.

E-Bikes

Never charge batteries overnight or without supervision.
Always use the original charger recommended by the manufacturer. Avoid charging in enclosed storage areas with flammable materials nearby.
Charge on a hard, non-flammable surface and ensure proper ventilation.

Electrical Systems

Ef einhver vafi leikur á að rafkerfið sé í  lagi þarf að fá löggildan rafverktaka til  að kanna málið.
Gamlar og illa farnar rafmagnstöflur geta verið hættulegar, ekki síst ef þær eru úr tré eða staðsettar í skápum. Skýrar merkingar þurfa að vera í rafmagnstöflum.
Innstungur þurfa að vera vel festar og rafmagnsklær eiga að sitja tryggilega í þeim.

Gas

Þar sem gas er notað innandyra þarf að vera gasskynjari. Festa skal hann á sökkul í eldhúsi og í sambærilegri hæð í öðrum rýmum.
Skipta þarf um slöngur á um fimm ára fresti og mælum við með að þá sé annar búnaður einnig yfirfarinn.
Mikilvægt er að geyma gaskúta á vel loftræstum stöðum. Ef gas er geymt í lokuðum skáp þarf að tryggja loftræstingu bæði ofan til og viðbotn. Æskilegast er að geyma gaskúta utandyra í læstum og merktum skáp.
Fylgist vel með þegar verið er að grilla og bregðist við áður en mikill eldur kemur upp í grillinu. Gætið þess að grilla ekki of nærri timburvegg eða glugga með stórum rúðum. Skrúfið fyrir gasið að notkun lokinni.

Candles and Candle Decorations

Secure candles on stable, non-flammable bases.
Don’t place candles near heat sources like heaters or TVs. Never place candles on electronic devices.
Keep candles away from flammable materials.
Never leave burning candles unattended and don’t let children or pets near flames or matches.
Using LED candles greatly increases safety.