Cigarettes are the biggest killer in accidental house fires - claiming over 140 lives each year - and the second biggest cause of injury.
Every three days someone dies from a fire caused by a cigarette.
A cigarette burns at up to 700 °C. So make sure when you put it out, it really is out. A final check could save your and your family's life.
Put It Out, Right Out
With a few simple tips you can reduce the risks from careless smoking:
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Put it out, right out - make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished.
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Take extra care when you are tired, taking drugs or have been drinking alcohol. It is very easy to fall asleep without realising that your cigarette is still burning.
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Never smoke in bed - if you need to lie down, do not light up. You could doze off and set your bed on fire.
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Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended - they can easily overbalance as they burn down, land on a carpet or newspaper and start a fire.
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Where possible buy child-resistant lighters and matchboxes - every year children die by starting fires with matches and lighters.
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Use a proper, heavy ashtray that cannot tip over easily and is made of a material that will not burn.
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Tap your ash into an ashtray - never a wastebasket - and do not let the ash or cigarette ends build up in the ashtray.
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Ensure that you have a working smoke alarm - when a fire starts, you only have a few minutes to escape. A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and dial 999.
For more advice go to the Put It Out, Right Out campaign website, or contact East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
