A fire in the home can start very easily and can spread with frightening speed. Every year there are more than 68,000 fires in people's homes, resulting in 400 deaths and 14,000 injuries.

Listed below are 10 top tips to protect your home.

1. Fit smoke alarms on every level in your home. Keep them free from dust and test them once a week. Consider buying a 10-year alarm, otherwise change the batteries in your alarm every year.

2. Make a fire action plan so that everyone in your home knows how to escape if there's a fire.

3. Keep the exits from your home clear so that people can escape if there's a fire. Make sure that everyone in your home can easily find the keys for doors and windows.

4. Take extra care in the kitchen, especially when using hot oil, accidents while cooking account for over half of fires in homes. Never leave young children alone in the kitchen.

5. Never leave lit candles in rooms that nobody is in or in rooms where children are on their own.

6. Make sure cigarettes are stubbed out properly and are disposed of carefully and never smoke in bed.

7. Get into the habit of closing doors at night. If you want to keep a child's bedroom door open, close the doors to the lounge and kitchen – this may well help save their life if there is a fire.

8. Don't overload electrical sockets. Remember one plug for one socket.

9. Keep matches and lighters where children can't see or reach them.

10. Take special care when you're tired or when you've been drinking.

The tips listed above are only a few things that you can do to prevent a fire in your home. If you would like more information contact your local Fire & Rescue Service.