News & events
What's new,
and what's coming up.
New guides and tools, seasonal reminders, official safety alerts and events — each with its date and source, so you know what is current.
In a real fire, get out first and call your local emergency number. For live fire alerts and evacuation orders, follow your local emergency services — this page is not a live alert service.
Heating season is here: five checks before you switch on
Heaters, chimneys and electric blankets come back into use as the weather turns. A short list to work through before the first cold night — with the guide and tool for each step.
Read the guide →Latest
All news
- New tool: Smoke alarm checker
Enter the year on your alarm to see its age, and check your testing and coverage.
- [Official alert title — e.g. a space heater model recalled for overheating]
One-line summary of the official notice and what owners should do.
- Clocks change soon: test your smoke alarms
A twice-yearly reminder that is easy to remember — press the button and check the date on the back.
- New guide: Charging e-bikes and scooters safely
Why lithium batteries catch fire, and the charging habits that lower the risk.
- Webinar: Writing a home escape plan with your family
A short live session using the escape plan check, with time for questions.
- [Official alert title — e.g. fire-danger warning for a region]
[Summary of the warning, the area it covers and how long it lasts.]
- Holiday lights and candles: a quick checklist
Decorations, lights and candles bring their own risks. Five things to check before guests arrive.
- Glossary update: [N] new terms added
Including region notes for extinguisher classes in the US and Europe/UK.
Seasonal calendar
What to focus on, month by month
Choose a month to see the season's focus and a few things to do.
January
- Check all smoke alarms
- Service your boiler before it fails
- Keep heaters clear of bedding
Northern hemisphere seasons shown. In the southern hemisphere summer and winter are reversed. A planning guide, not statistics — check local fire-danger ratings.
February
- Check your CO alarm battery
- Review your escape plan with the family
- Inspect electric blankets for wear
Northern hemisphere seasons shown. In the southern hemisphere summer and winter are reversed. A planning guide, not statistics — check local fire-danger ratings.
March
- Clocks change — test every alarm
- Check alarm expiry dates
- Clear exit routes of stored items
Northern hemisphere seasons shown. In the southern hemisphere summer and winter are reversed. A planning guide, not statistics — check local fire-danger ratings.
April
- Check local burn-ban status
- Clear dry vegetation around the building
- Prepare your go-bag if you live near wildland
Northern hemisphere seasons shown. In the southern hemisphere summer and winter are reversed. A planning guide, not statistics — check local fire-danger ratings.
May
- BBQ safety check before first use
- Review defensible space
- Test smoke alarms before spring break
Northern hemisphere seasons shown. In the southern hemisphere summer and winter are reversed. A planning guide, not statistics — check local fire-danger ratings.
June
- Follow fire-danger ratings daily
- Never leave campfires unattended
- Keep a bucket of sand near the BBQ
Northern hemisphere seasons shown. In the southern hemisphere summer and winter are reversed. A planning guide, not statistics — check local fire-danger ratings.
July
- Check ember-proof vents and screens
- Know two evacuation routes
- Avoid outdoor burning on hot, windy days
Northern hemisphere seasons shown. In the southern hemisphere summer and winter are reversed. A planning guide, not statistics — check local fire-danger ratings.
August
- Review go-bag before end of summer
- Check smoke alarm coverage outdoors
- Log any fire-agency alerts for your area
Northern hemisphere seasons shown. In the southern hemisphere summer and winter are reversed. A planning guide, not statistics — check local fire-danger ratings.
September
- Service chimney before first use
- Test all smoke alarms before heating starts
- Check the dryer vent for lint buildup
Northern hemisphere seasons shown. In the southern hemisphere summer and winter are reversed. A planning guide, not statistics — check local fire-danger ratings.
October
- Fire-safety awareness events in many places
- Clocks change: test every smoke alarm
- Check heaters before switching them on
Northern hemisphere seasons shown. In the southern hemisphere summer and winter are reversed. A planning guide, not statistics — check local fire-danger ratings.
November
- Buy non-flammable decorations
- Never leave candles unattended
- Check turkey fryer safety before Thanksgiving
Northern hemisphere seasons shown. In the southern hemisphere summer and winter are reversed. A planning guide, not statistics — check local fire-danger ratings.
December
- Switch off Christmas lights overnight
- Keep the tree watered
- Have a fire blanket in the kitchen
Northern hemisphere seasons shown. In the southern hemisphere summer and winter are reversed. A planning guide, not statistics — check local fire-danger ratings.
Events
Learn with others
Online sessions, open days and community events from us and our partners.
Writing a home escape plan with your family
A walk-through of the escape plan check, with questions at the end.
Open day at [local fire station]
Meet firefighters, see the equipment and learn what happens after you call.
Fire-warden refresher for small businesses
Rules, drills and keeping escape routes clear — in under an hour.
[Community fire-safety day]
Alarm checks, extinguisher demonstrations and activities for children.
Wildfire readiness: before the season starts
Defensible space, go-bags and alerts, with a partner fire agency.
Running a fire-safety event?
Fire services, schools and community groups can send us events to list.
News FAQ
Questions about fire safety news and updates
No — we summarise and link to official notices but we are not an official body. Safety alerts are sourced from agencies such as US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), USFA, and UK Office for Product Safety & Standards. Always click through to the original notice for full details and legal advice.
You can subscribe to our RSS feed (link at the bottom of the news list) or add our seasonal calendar to your calendar app using the .ics link. For official alerts direct from government, CPSC Recalls and UK product recalls both offer RSS and email subscriptions.
Our current content primarily references seasons as experienced in North America and Europe, where most of our source material originates. In the Southern Hemisphere, summer and winter are reversed — so "heating season" (our October–March focus) applies to your April–September. A planning guide, not statistics — always check local fire-danger ratings from your national weather service.
Yes. Events must be free to attend, focused on fire safety or preparedness, and not used to sell products. Submit via the form on our Events page. We check each submission before listing and aim to respond within five working days.