The best way to practice fire safety is to make sure a fire doesn't start in the first place. Fire prevention is the best form of fire safety. This article lists the potential hazards in your home and what you can do to be safe. Check all electrical appliances, cords, and outlets

Are your electrical appliances in good condition, without loose or frayed cords or plugs? Are your outlets overloaded with plugs from the TV, computer, printer, video game system, and stereo? Are you overusing an extension cord? Do the light fixtures in your home contain bulbs that are the correct wattage? Is your fuse box in good working order? Are the contact switches clean and accessible?

Look around your house for potential problems. And unless you're a trained electrician, be careful about do-it-yourself electrical projects. Many home fires are caused by improper installation (read bad D-I-Y) of electrical devices.

Other tips:

Replace or professionally repair any appliances that spark, smell unusual, or overheat. Don't run electrical wires under rugs. Make sure lamps and night-lights are not touching bedspreads, curtains, or other fabrics. Use caution when using electric blankets. Don't let kids use kitchen appliances by themselves and supervise any art or science projects that involve electrical devices. Cover any outlets that are not in use with plastic safety covers if you have toddlers or young children in your home.

Be especially vigilant about portable heaters

The number of residential fires always goes up during colder months, peaking between December and February. Portable space heaters significantly contribute to this increase. Before plugging in your space heater, make sure you know how to use it safely: Carefully read the directions for its use. Never place a space heater where a child or pet could accidentally knock it over. Never place a space heater too close to a bed, especially a child's bed. Keep newspapers, magazines, and fabrics from curtains, clothes, or bedding away from space heaters, radiators, and fireplaces. Heaters should be at least 1 metre from anything flammable.

Be careful in the kitchen

Did you know that cooking is the leading cause of house fires? The kitchen is full of ways for a fire to start: food left unsupervised on a stove or in an oven or microwave; grease spills; a dish towel too close to the burner; a toaster or toaster oven flare-up; a coffee pot accidentally left on. Always supervise your child while cooking, and make sure to practice safe cooking habits - like turning all pot handles in so they can't be accidentally knocked over and not wearing loose-fitting clothing that could catch fire around the stove.

Check out the fireplace

Fireplaces should be kept clean and covered with a screen to keep sparks from jumping out. Try to only burn wood or coal in the fireplace - paper and other materials can escape while burning and ignite nearby items. Never leave a fire burning unattended, and make sure a fire is completely extinguished before leaving the house or going to bed. Have the chimney professionally cleaned once a year.

Beware of cigarettes

House fires started by cigarettes are one of the biggest domestic killers. 100's of people die each year as a result of fires started by discarded or careless cigarette disposal. Most are started when ashes or butts fall into couches and chairs. If you smoke, be especially careful around upholstered furniture, never smoke in bed, and be sure cigarettes are completely out before you toss them into the bin.

Never let your child play with matches and lighters

You've heard it again and again, but children playing with matches are still the leading cause of fire-related deaths and injuries for children younger than 5. Always keep matches and lighters out of children's reach. Store flammable materials such as petrol, kerosene, and flammable cleaning supplies outside of your home and away from children.

Use candles safely

As decorative candles become more popular, candle fires are on the rise. If you light candles, keep them out of reach of kids and pets, away from curtains and furniture, and extinguish them before you go to bed. Make sure candles are in sturdy holders made of non-flammable material that won't tip over. Don't let older children and teens use candles unsupervised in their rooms.

Be aware of festive dangers

Around the holidays, there are even more potential fire hazards to think about. If you use a real Christmas tree in your home, make sure to water it daily - electric lights strung on a dried-out tree are a recipe for disaster. All lights and lighted window ornaments should be inspected every year to make sure that cords are not worn or frayed, and all candles should be used with care. According to research studies, the number of fires started by candles nearly doubles during the month of December.

Mark Hosken is a former Fireman and Fire Inspector who now runs Backdraft Ltd: a Fire Risk Assessment company. This article was prepared by Attraction Marketing UK