Rescue Board press release
23 January 2026
It's going to get cold this weekend - heat smart
The Environment Agency's weather service is forecasting a decent winter freeze for the weekend, with temperatures dropping below 20 degrees Celsius in places and chilly temperatures for several days. Fire safety is important to remember during the cold weather.
Crispy cold temperatures cool the room more quickly and tempt you to turn up the heat. However, it's best to let the heater cool for at least 8 hours after heating in the morning and then reheat in the evening when the stove has cooled down. This way you won't overheat the stove.
Intensive heating can be a fire hazard, especially if the heating system is poorly constructed, outdated or broken, or if the heating equipment is poorly maintained or even unmaintained. An accident can also occur if the heating system is too close to hot surfaces or if objects that could catch fire are stored opposite it. Care should also be taken to ensure that there is no furniture, carpets, firewood or other flammable items in front of or near the door of the stove, oven, fireplace or boiler. It is important that ashes removed from the stove are placed in a non-combustible container, such as a tin bucket with a lid, and taken to a safe place, i.e. out of the room. Also, do not close the hose too early, as this could lead to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If electric fans and radiators are needed to provide space heating, care should be taken to avoid overloading the electricity system. Remember that electric heaters and radiators must not be covered with clothing.
In crispy sub-zero temperatures, water pipes that are not properly insulated tend to freeze, and thawing them needs to be done consciously and with safety in mind. Instead of using a flame or an open flame, we recommend the use of heat coils or a heat blower to thaw frozen pipes, but even then, you must be present to ensure that no accidents occur. To prevent pipes from freezing in cold weather, it is worth covering them with extra insulation.
Every home must have a working and correctly installed smoke detector, and homes with wood-burning stoves, cookers, fireplaces, boilers or gas fires must also have a working gas detector.
If you have any doubts about the fire safety of your home, you can call in the emergency services, who will inspect the premises for safety and make recommendations on how to improve fire safety. You can book a home visit on the Rescue Board's safety portal or by calling 1247.