admin

Homeworking fire risks: How can I identify and mitigate the unique fire risks associated with homeworking environments?

Homeworking fire risks are real and often overlooked; in this guide you will learn how to spot the most common hazards, assess the level of risk, and apply practical mitigation steps that protect staff, households and your legal position. You will also find a simple checklist for employers and managers to use, plus links to authoritative guidance and services that can help you act quickly.

Employers remain responsible for the health and safety of staff who work from home where work activities create risks. That duty includes identifying hazards, carrying out assessments where necessary, and putting controls in place that are reasonably practicable. See HSE guidance on homeworking for details.

Why homeworking fire risks need focused attention

Working from home mixes household and workplace hazards. Electrical equipment, portable heaters and informal storage of paperwork or packaging increase the chance that a small ignition can become a serious incident. At the same time, escape routes and alarm provision may not match the standards of a workplace. That combination creates unique risks that require a different approach to the one used for an office.

Many homeworkers use laptops, chargers, extension leads and other electrical items for long periods. These items can overheat or become damaged through frequent movement or poor storage. Employers must therefore provide guidance, training and, where required, equipment checks. Practical measures reduce risk and demonstrate that an employer has discharged its duty of care. Refer to HSE guidance on homeworking for further information.

Identifying homeworking fire risks

Spotting homeworking fire risks begins with a structured look at where and how a person works. Ask simple questions and document the answers. In most cases a remote self-assessment will identify the hazards; follow up in person if the answers suggest greater danger.

Key areas to check

Electrical setup: Are sockets overloaded, and are extension leads in good condition? Conduct a visual inspection and ask the homeworker to photograph any suspect items.

Charging and battery use: Are devices left charging on soft furnishing or under pillows? Encourage charging on hard, ventilated surfaces.

Heating and cooking: Does the worker use portable heaters, hobs or kettles near their workspace?

Escape and alarm provision: Is there at least one working smoke alarm on each level used for living accommodation, and can everyone in the household escape quickly?

Storage and fuel sources: Are flammable materials or large amounts of paper stored close to heat sources?

Make sure you capture photographic evidence or short notes during assessments. This helps with follow-up and creates an audit trail for compliance checks.

How to assess and document risk for homeworkers

A clear assessment records the hazard, who might be harmed, what controls are in place and what further action is needed. Use a simple template so assessments are consistent across your workforce.

Suggested assessment steps

Define the work activity and areas used for work: Record which rooms and surfaces are used and any regular changes to location.

Identify hazards: Use the key areas above to capture potential ignition sources and vulnerable items.

Evaluate likelihood and consequence: Consider how a fire could start, who would be affected and how severe the outcome might be.

Decide on controls: Select measures that are reasonably practicable to reduce risk.

Record findings and assign actions: Note responsible persons and deadlines so items are tracked.

Review: Reassess at intervals and when circumstances change, such as when new equipment arrives.

For display screen equipment and other workstation hazards, use the HSE DSE guidance and checklist to ensure posture and electrical safety issues are considered as part of your assessment.

Practical mitigation: electrical safety and charging behaviour

Electrical faults are a major cause of household fires. Practical steps will lower the risk without disrupting productivity.

What to do

Provide guidance for safe charging: Advise staff not to charge devices unattended on sofas, beds or under cushions.

Reduce extension lead use: Offer additional sockets or equipment with longer cables where possible.

Encourage visual checks: Require staff to report defects in plugs, cables and sockets immediately.

PAT testing: Where business equipment is supplied, consider a proportionate PAT testing programme and keep inspection records.

End-of-day routine: Remind staff to switch off and unplug non-essential devices at the end of the working day.

Where homeworkers move equipment between sites, supply a protective bag and guidance on safe handling to avoid cable damage and overheating during transit.

Managing ignition sources: heaters, cooking and smoking

Homeworking fire risks include common domestic ignition sources that may be used more because staff spend longer at home. Address each source with clear policies.

Heaters: Ban the use of unguarded portable heaters in a homeworking policy, or specify approved models and clear distances from combustibles. Ask staff to keep heaters at least one metre from paper, furniture and curtains and to turn them off overnight.

Cooking and kettles: Explain simple safe practices such as not leaving pans unattended and keeping the workspace separate from the kitchen when possible. Remind homeworkers that busy times, such as lunchtime, can increase distractions and the likelihood of a cooking incident.

Smoking: Stress that smoking in the workspace or on soft furnishings creates a high risk and that smoking materials must be fully extinguished and disposed of safely.

Alarms, escape planning and household safety

Working at home can delay detection and escape if alarms are missing or escape routes are complicated. The Government recommends at least one smoke alarm on every level used as living accommodation and testing them regularly. Ensure homeworkers understand this basic protection via the Government fire safety in the home guidance.

What to require and check

Working smoke alarms: Confirm that staff have a working smoke alarm on each floor used for living.

Interlinked alarms: Advise on interlinked alarms for larger properties where appropriate.

Escape plan: Encourage a simple escape plan with a primary route, a secondary route and an agreed rendezvous point.

Testing: Ask staff to test alarms monthly and to report any faults immediately.

Where staff live in rented accommodation, landlords have legal duties about smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Employers should make homeworkers aware of these rules and how to raise concerns with their landlord or local authority using the Gov.uk smoke and carbon monoxide alarm guidance.

Training, information and reporting for homeworkers

Good information reduces risky behaviours. Training does not need to be long or complex; it must be clear and relevant.

Topics to cover

Safe use of chargers and extension leads: Show correct placement and handling.

How to check and test smoke alarms: Demonstrate monthly tests and fault reporting.

What to do in the event of a fire: Ensure staff know evacuation steps and who to contact.

Reporting procedures: Explain how to report electrical faults or near misses to the employer.

Keep training records and include homeworking topics in your wider fire safety induction. Encourage a culture of reporting small issues early so they do not become emergencies. See NHS Employers homeworking guidance for related practice.

When to involve specialists and the role of Total Safe

Some situations require an expert review. If the assessment identifies significant hazards, or if homeworkers use specialist equipment, call in a competent provider.

Total Safe can help with tailored advice, fire risk assessments, PAT testing and training for homeworkers and managers. For formal assessments or follow-up work, use a trusted supplier to ensure compliance and peace of mind.

Find Total Safe fire safety services and the Total Safe fire risk assessment services if you need formal, documented support for homeworking arrangements or co‑working spaces.

Practical checklist you can issue to homeworkers today

Use this short checklist to give homeworkers immediate, practical steps to reduce risk.

Daily and weekly checks

Test smoke alarms monthly: Encourage testing and reporting of faults; see Government fire safety in the home guidance.

Avoid charging on soft furnishings: Place chargers on a hard surface and never under cushions or pillows.

Check plugs and cables: Do not use faulty leads; report visible damage immediately.

Keep escape routes clear: Remove storage and boxes from corridors and exit routes.

Turn off portable heaters when not in the room: Store them safely when not in use.

Report electrical concerns: Notify the employer and seek repair or replacement promptly.

Record completed checks and encourage photos or short notes so managers can spot recurring issues quickly.

Employers must manage risks so far as is reasonably practicable. That means balancing the level of risk against the measures needed to control it, considering cost and effort. For many homeworking hazards, simple guidance, provision of safe equipment, and proportionate inspection or testing will meet the duty of care.

Landlords must provide and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide alarms where regulations require them. If a homeworker rents their accommodation and lacks alarms, advise them to contact the landlord and, if necessary, local authorities using the Gov.uk smoke and carbon monoxide alarm guidance.

Conclusion and recommended next steps

Homeworking fire risks are manageable when employers act early and practically. Identify hazards through a simple assessment, give staff clear guidance, ensure alarms and escape plans are in place, and provide or check business equipment where relevant. Document your actions and review them regularly.

Start with these three steps

Issue a short homeworking fire-safety checklist: Send to staff and log responses.

Use the HSE DSE checklist: Carry out workplace assessments for homeworkers who use DSE regularly; see the HSE DSE checklist.

Arrange competent support: For higher-risk cases or formal testing, engage a provider such as Total Safe.

For authoritative background information, consult the Government’s advice on fire safety in the home and the HSE guidance on homeworking and DSE.

FAQ

Q: Do employers really have responsibilities for homeworkers’ fire safety?

A: Yes. Employers must manage risks related to work activities carried out at home so far as is reasonably practicable, and this includes assessing hazards and giving information and equipment where needed. See HSE guidance on homeworking.

Q: How many smoke alarms should be in a home used for working?

A: Fit at least one smoke alarm on every level of the home used as living accommodation and test them monthly; consider interlinked alarms for larger properties. See the Government fire safety in the home guidance.

Q: Should employers PAT test equipment they supply to homeworkers?

A: Employers should adopt a proportionate PAT testing programme for business equipment supplied to homeworkers and instruct staff to report any visible damage immediately. Professional testing can be provided if equipment presents a higher risk. See NHS Employers homeworking guidance for context.

Q: What should I do if a homeworker rents and there are no smoke alarms?

A: Advise the homeworker to contact their landlord to request alarms; landlords have legal duties to provide and maintain alarms in many cases. If the landlord does not act, local authority enforcement routes exist. See Gov.uk smoke and carbon monoxide alarm guidance.

Q: When should I bring in a specialist like Total Safe?

A: Involve specialists when the assessment identifies significant hazards, when business equipment requires inspection, or when you need a formal fire risk assessment to demonstrate compliance. Arrange a Total Safe Fire Risk Assessment.