The message coming loud and clear is that by taking a few moments’ extra thought can make all the difference. Small steps like testing your smoke alarms and making sure candles and matches are out of reach, or a quick glance down the hall to ensure an escape route is clear in case of a fire, take just seconds but can save lives.

Alan Coxon, Community Community Safety Prevention Manager said: “There’s nothing more important than the safety of a child in the home. So getting into the habit of taking a quick glance round the room for hazards is a simple step that will make safety an automatic reflex for any parent or carer, and help give real peace of mind.

“Another really vital thing mums and dads can do to keep their family safe is talk to their kids about the importance of fire safety and make sure they know what to do if the worst happens.  Fitting a smoke alarm and involving the children in testing it regularly can also help keep them fire-aware and – most importantly – provide the vital seconds you need to escape in a fire. This could develop a life-saving habit for the future.”

Katrina Philips, the CEO of the Child Accident Prevention Trust, said, "Preventing deaths and serious injury from accidents lies at the heart of Child Safety Week.  Families can take simple steps to protect themselves from the devastation caused by fire; testing smoke alarms, putting matches and candles out of reach and keeping escape routes clear all take a few moments.  We are delighted that fire and rescue authorities are supporting the week and families to make a real difference to protecting children.”

Here are Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service top tips for a safer home:

•         Don’t let your child play with fire – Keep candles, lighters and matches well out of children’s reach, and never leave burning candles unattended.

•         Keep safe in the kitchen – Make sure children know that the kitchen is not a play area - never leave younger children alone in the kitchen when you're cooking and never let them play near the oven and hob.

•         Socket safety – Teach children not to poke anything, especially fingers, into sockets.

•         Nominate your child to be the ‘Escape champ’ – Regularly role-play escape routes and give children the responsibility to keep escape routes clear.

•         Get ‘key clever’ – Encourage your children to check that keys are in the correct place. Keys for windows and doors should always be kept in an accessible place so you can get out quickly in the event of a fire.

•         Discuss how to call 999 – Make sure children know which number to call in an emergency. They should also know their address. You can pin both up by the phone; explain the importance of only calling 999 in a real emergency.

•         Fit and maintain a smoke alarm – A working smoke alarm can give you the vital time you need to escape a house fire. You should have one on each level of your home and test it weekly. 

•         Don’t remove the batteries – If your smoke alarm keeps going off accidentally while you are cooking, don’t remove the batteries. Instead move the alarm or change it for one with a silencer button.

•         In the event of a fire ‘Get out, Stay out, Call 999!’ – Don’t delay for valuables, don’t investigate or try to tackle the fire.  Use a mobile, a neighbour’s phone or a phone box to call 999.  If someone needs to be rescued wait safely outside for the firefighters who have the equipment and training to do it.   Never go back in.

For advice on fire safety, please visit our website or go to www.gov.uk/firekills