Practical winter fire safety measures every care setting should take

Between 2011 and 2025, there were around 9,560 fire incidents in care homes across England*.  That’s roughly 735 fires every year. With numbers like that, securing your fire safety measures is something you can’t afford to skip over.

Fire safety in care settings is about keeping people safe, building and maintaining trust, and creating an environment where everyone feels looked after. And now winter’s here, fire safety needs a little extra attention.

Heaters are on more often, electrical items work harder, festive decorations go up, and darker evenings mean extra checks are needed. Plus, evacuations are more challenging in cold, icy conditions.

To help you stay prepared, our partners at Citation have put together their fire-safety advice now we’re heading into the colder months.

Fire prevention is your first line of defence

Preventing fires before they start is always the best approach. Winter just adds a few extra things to watch out for.

Fire detection and prevention equipment

Every care setting should have reliable fire detection systems, including:

·      Alarms

·      Smoke detectors

·      Sprinklers

Winter is a good time to double-check that everything’s working as it should be, especially as heaters, fairy lights and electrical equipment all typically get used more.

Electrical appliances are a particular risk at this time of year. In fact, 17%  of fires in care homes are caused by electrical appliances, and 10%  come from electrical distribution faults*. With extra items plugged in during the colder months, take the time to check cables, sockets, and portable heaters for any damage.

A quick reminder on heaters:

·      Make sure you PAT-test them regularly

·      Keep them away from bedding, curtains and mobility aids

·      Don’t leave them running unsupervised

·      Avoid using extension leads for anything that produces heat

Safe storage of hazardous materials

You should always store cleaning products and aerosols safely, but in winter there’s an added risk when they’re kept near heaters or warm pipes. Why not run a training refresher with staff on safe storage?

Practical ways to support residents during a fire

Winter weather means thinking carefully about how you support the people in your care, particularly those with mobility challenges, dementia or health conditions that are affected by the cold.

Review your emergency evacuation plans

A robust evacuation plan is vital all year round, but winter brings extra things to consider:

·      Make sure paths and fire exits are gritted and free of ice

·      Check outdoor lighting regularly

·      Make sure emergency doors open freely in cold conditions

·      Keep coats, blankets or foil wraps close to exits

And remember, wheelchairs, walking frames and evacuation chairs may behave differently on wet or icy ground. A winter practice run can highlight any issues.

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)

PEEPs exist to make sure every individual in your care gets the right support during an evacuation, based on their specific needs. In winter, those needs can look a little different, so review each plan with the colder weather in mind.

For example, someone who’s sensitive to low temperatures may need warm layers or a foil blanket as soon as they reach the meeting point. A person who relies on a walking frame might require an alternative route if ramps or pathways become icy. And for some people, health conditions such as asthma can be triggered by cold air, meaning they may need extra support or quicker access to shelter.

Taking the time to adjust PEEP plans for winter means every individual stays safe, comfortable and fully supported, and most importantly, that no one gets left behind during an emergency.

Appropriate measures for fire meeting points 

Your meeting point should always be safe, easy to reach, and clearly marked. In winter, it needs to offer enough warmth and comfort to keep the people in your care safe while staff carry out their checks. Cold weather can make even a well-planned evacuation feel tougher, so a few simple tweaks can go a long way.

For example:

·      Keeping grit close by  means you can quickly clear icy pathways

·      Regular checks on outdoor lighting  help everyone see where they’re going during darker mornings and afternoons.

·      Having foil blankets or ponchos ready  also makes a huge difference, especially for anyone who feels the cold more intensely.

Small, thoughtful steps like these help people feel protected, reassured and confident during what could otherwise be a stressful moment.

Training and practice

Your staff are central to how safely and confidently your setting manages a fire. The more familiar they are with winter risks, the better equipped they’ll be.

Fire prevention training

Winter can increase the likelihood of electrical fires, and the numbers back this up. Electrical appliances and distribution faults account for 27% of care-home fires combined*, rising during colder seasons when plug sockets are working overtime.

Make sure to refresh your staff’s training on:

·      Spotting damaged wires

·      Safe use of extension leads

·      Keeping heaters clear

·      Avoiding overloading sockets

Regularly practice emergency drills

Fire drills at least twice a year are essential. Running one in winter is especially helpful, as it allows staff to practice evacuating in dark or icy conditions, especially in gritted paths or alternative exits. It also provides practical experience with helping those in your care understand what to do in a real fire emergency.  

It’s all about building confidence and ironing out issues before they ever become a real problem.

Make sure you're confident in your equipment

Your team must know exactly how to use all fire equipment, and take the time to check winter-specific items too, like:

·      Outdoor lighting

·      Ice-melt supplies

·      Waterproof covers

·      Extra blankets or warm layers

A few minutes’ preparation now can save valuable time in an emergency.

Citation – by your side

Getting ready for winter fire risks is about giving your staff, those in your care and their families the confidence that your setting is safe, warm and well-prepared for an emergency.

As a WMCA partner, we’re a trusted provider in the industry – so you can have faith that we know how to help you manage the challenges unique to your care setting.

If you’d like support reviewing your winter fire-safety processes or just want peace of mind that your setting is fully protected, our experts are here to help.

Call 0345 844 1111  or click here and don’t forget to quote ‘WMCA’  for preferential rates.

* https://www.ipsfs.co.uk/blog/fire-safety/uk-care-home-fire-causes-infographic/