Smoking is a major cause of accidental fire in the home. If you smoke or you know someone who does, follow this advice to stay safe: 

• It’s safer to smoke outside rather than inside your home, but make sure cigarettes are put out fully and disposed of properly. 
• Never smoke in bed, and avoid smoking on armchairs and sofas – especially if you think you might fall asleep. 
• Take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs or if you’ve been drinking alcohol. 
• Keep matches and lighters away from children. Make sure any lighters you use are child resistant . 
• Use proper ashtrays, which can’t tip over and stub cigarettes out properly. 
• Don't balance cigars or cigarettes on the edge of an ashtray, or anything else – they can tip and fall as they burn away and cause a fire. 
• Never leave lit pipes or cigarettes unattended.   
• Always empty ashtrays carefully. Make sure smoking materials are out, cold and preferably wet them before throwing into a bin – never use a wastepaper basket. 
• Never smoke if you use medical oxygen or an air flow pressure relief mattress. If you use paraffin-based emollient creams, ask your healthcare provider for non-flammable alternatives instead.   
• Other safety measures you could consider are fire retardant bedding or nightwear.