Who is Most at Risk?
Older adults, young children, people with disabilities or limited mobility, and those who are heavy sleepers or who use medical sedatives are most at risk. Properties without working smoke alarms, those with older electrical wiring, and people who smoke indoors face heightened risk.
Before
- Fit smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them monthly. Replace batteries annually.
- Make a home fire escape plan and practise it with everyone in your household, including children.
- Identify two ways out of every room if possible, and agree on a meeting point outside.
- Never leave cooking unattended — cooking is the leading cause of home fires in Gibraltar.
- Do not overload electrical sockets or use damaged cables and plugs.
- Keep flammable materials away from heaters, candles and open flames.
- Never smoke in bed.
- Ensure portable heaters are stable, away from furniture, and turned off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Keep your address clearly visible from the street to help emergency services find you quickly.
During
- Get out, stay out, and call 999. Do not go back inside for any reason.
- If you need to pass through smoke, crawl low where the air is cleaner.
- Before opening any door, feel it with the back of your hand — if it is hot, do not open it. Find another route.
- Close doors behind you as you escape — this slows the spread of fire and smoke.
- If you are trapped, close the door and seal gaps with clothing or bedding to keep smoke out. Signal from a window.
- Never use a lift during a fire — use the stairs.
- Call 999 as soon as you are safely outside.
After
- Do not re-enter the building until the Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service confirms it is safe.
- Seek medical attention even if you do not feel injured — smoke inhalation can cause delayed symptoms.
- Contact your home insurance provider as soon as possible.
- If you have been displaced, contact the Gibraltar Housing Authority (GHA) for assistance.
- Have your smoke alarms and any fire suppression systems inspected and replaced as needed before returning.