Top Tips for Fire Safety this Chinese New Year!

Follow our fire safety top tips for Chinese New Year: candles and fireworks are often used to celebrate Chinese New Year, as well as lanterns with naked flames. There is, therefore, an element of fire risk in these festivities – stocking up on fire safety products such as burns kits, fire blankets and extinguishers should be part of any event preparation.

Children celebrating Chinese New Year
Two children celebrating Chinese New Year

In 2024, The Chinese New Year will begin on February 10th and will be the year of the Dragon. This sixteen day long traditional Chinese holiday is recognised worldwide by many people across Asia, and increasingly in the Western world, along with festivals and celebrations to mark the Lunar New Year.

Following our top tips for celebrating will ensure that everyone can enjoy this tradition safely.

Fire Safety Top Tips for Chinese New Year

Whether organising a large event with fireworks and flames, or a small home gathering with sparklers and candles, Chinese New Year celebrations come with a fire risk. We have put together top tips for fire safety to help you make your event a safe and happy occasion.

1. Before your event you will need to carry out a fire risk assessment. This free assessment form will help you identify your fire risks and document your actions to reduce these risks. As the organiser of a public event, you have a legal duty to complete a fire risk assessment.

Fire safety top tips: invest in a site stand for Chinese New Year celebration events
Events marking Chinese New Year should have a suitable site stand

2. Consider how you will raise the alarm in the event of a fire. If you celebrate at home, do you have heat and smoke alarms fitted? When planning a public event, consider using site alarms or a rotary bell and having site stands with all your fire safety and first aid equipment at strategic places.

3. Prepare for any activities involving flames with adequate supplies of fire safety equipment. We recommend having fire blankets, water mist fire extinguishers, and a burns kit on hand for any eventuality. Our water mist fire extinguishers are non-toxic. This makes them particularly suitable for events with large numbers of spectators, or where children and animals may be present. Water mist extinguishers are environmentally friendly and leave no residue when discharged.

4. Even for an outdoor event like Chinese New Year, pathways should be kept clear of debris to ensure that people can move to a place of safety in a fire. Where crowds are expected, fire assembly points and exit routes should be clearly signposted.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Safelincs would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone celebrating the Chinese New Year good health and happiness.

Fire safety top tip: ensure your burn kit is in date and on hand at any events involving flames
Have a Burn Kit on Hand at any Chinese New Year Celebration

Safelincs: SME Employer of the Year

In 2022, Safelincs were delighted to receive the prestigious SME Employer of the Year award. We topped tough competition to win this important national accolade, and are proud of the team that made it possible.

Safelincs Win SME Employer of the Year

What are the SME National Business Awards?

The SME National Business Awards recognises outstanding achievement by small and medium-sized enterprises across the country. The EU defines SMEs as organisations with fewer than 250 employees, and a turnover of less than €50 million.

Employer of the year 2022

Safelincs topped 18 other finalists to win Employer of the Year. This award came at an exciting time for Safelincs, as our continued growth leads to further expansion of the workforce. As a major employer in the local area, Safelincs are pleased to be able to offer exciting opportunities to both Lincolnshire-based and national candidates looking to join their fantastic team.

SME National Business Awards

Introducing Safelincs

Based in Alford, Lincolnshire, Safelincs is a forward-thinking fire safety provider with a dedicated team of more than 80 staff. Offering over 6000 products and services nationwide, we are proud to support our staff to deliver excellent customer service and advice, and high-quality fire and safety products.

Safelincs’ Employment Ethos

We believe that having confident and supported staff is key to customer satisfaction, business development, and productivity. This ethos starts with our induction programme, through to building long-term working relationships with the wider team. As MD, Harry Dewick-Eisele has said, ‘our staff are at the heart of our organisation and are a true credit to the success that the business has been able to achieve. We have grown 30% year on year for the last 4 years’

Safelincs are proud to celebrate high levels of staff retention. This reduces recruitment costs and allows us to invest in our current staff through training. ‘We want to ensure that all of our staff are empowered to excel in what they do’, says HR Manager, Angie Dewick-Eisele, ‘this could mean supporting them to further develop their skills through training and offering career paths and progression opportunities. Or, offering pastoral support through our Wellbeing Team and social activities.’ Safelincs empower staff to highlight courses and training topics that they feel will underpin their roles throughout their employment, to ensure that every member of the Safelincs team can improve and progress.

Join the Safelincs Team

As a growing business, we are often recruiting for talent across a diverse range of roles: from admin and marketing, to servicing and warehouse operation. If you’re looking for your next challenge, and want to be a part of Safelincs’ mission, visit our Jobs Page.

New! Longlife Radio-interlinked Smoke Alarms from UltraFire with a 10-year warranty

The new longlife radio-interlinked smoke alarms from UltraFire are a great option for any home. They are the only radio-interlinked smoke and heat alarms available in the UK that have a 10-year warranty for complete peace of mind.

UltraFire Longlife Radio-interlinked Smoke & Heat Alarms have a 10 year warranty
UltraFire Longlife Radio-interlinked Smoke & Heat Alarms have a 10 year warranty

Longlife and long warranty

UltraFire longlife radio-interlinked alarms are fitted with a 10-year sealed battery. This battery lasts for the lifetime of the alarm so will never need to be changed and cannot be tampered with. The base of the alarm and the alarm itself are covered by a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty for the lifetime of the alarm. This gives you complete peace of mind.

Radio-interlinked alarms give you the best chance of escape

Radio-interlinked alarms are recognised by the fire service as giving the best chance of escape. Fitting multiple alarms around your home and linking them together means that if one alarm detects a fire, all the alarms will sound. This means that where ever you are in your home, you will be alerted if a fire is detected. This early warning gives everyone in your household a better chance of escape.

Fire detection throughout your home

Wirelessly link up to 15 of these UltraFire radio-interlinked smoke and heat alarms in one system. This will quickly alert the whole house if a fire is detected. Fit the UltraFire heat alarm in the kitchen and garage, and smoke alarms in any rooms where a fire could start. As a minimum, alarms should be fitted in the main living area, kitchen and all hallways and landings.

We offer a smoke and heat alarm starter kit which can be linked to additional alarms from the same range.

Suitable for the 2022 Scottish legislation

The UltraFire Longlife Radio-interlinked Smoke and Heat Alarms comply with the latest Scottish alarm regulations for homes.

UltraFire ULL10RF Wireless Alarm Kit – 1 x Heat & 2 x Smoke
UltraFire ULL10RF Wireless Alarm Kit – 1 x Heat & 2 x Smoke
  • FREE delivery
  • Battery: 10 year sealed lithium battey
  • Warranty: 10 year manufacturer's warranty
  • Wirelessly interlink up to 15 UltraFire ULL10RF devices
  • 2 x optical smoke alarms and 1 x heat alarm included
  • Suitable for BS 5839-6: 2019 Grade F1 installations
  • Also suitable for the updated Scottish 2022 legislation
£72.99 ex VAT
£87.59 inc VAT
Buy Now

Mel Saunders

Head of Marketing

Mel joined Safelincs in 2020 and leads the content and marketing team.

Money Saving Tips for Businesses

With energy prices soaring and lots of businesses still feeling the effects of the Covid pandemic, many businesses and organisations are understandably looking for ways to reduce costs. When it comes to fire safety, cost saving should never compromise the level of protection in your organisation. Read our top money saving tips for businesses so you can cut costs without cutting corners.

money saving tips for businesses

1.Switch to P50 Service-Free Fire Extinguishers 

No annual service from a trained technician – Due to their unique construction, P50 Service-Free Fire Extinguishers can reduce your fire extinguisher costs substantially. Unlike traditional steel extinguishers that require annual servicing from a trained technician each year, P50 Service-Free Extinguishers only require a simple visual inspection. A member of your team can carry out this inspection and will receive free training from Safelincs at the point of installation. This eliminates your annual extinguisher servicing costs.

Longer lasting and highly durable – P50 Service-Free Extinguishers have a 10 year warranty and a lifespan that is twice as long as steel extinguishers. They can last for 20 years if they are refilled by the manufacturer after 10 years. P50 Extinguishers will not corrode – even if left outside for 20 years! This is due to the materials used in their construction.

Reduce the number of extinguishers required – Due to its superior fire rating and versatility, the P50 Foam Service-Free Extinguisher can often replace a common extinguisher combination of 9ltr Water and 2kg CO2. Making this switch actually gives you better coverage for class A and B fires and can also be used to effectively tackle electrical fires. Having one P50 Foam Extinguisher rather than the traditional combination of water and CO2 extinguishers also removes confusion about which unit to choose in the event of a fire. Having less units to install and maintain will significantly reduce fire extinguisher costs.

Free site survey, delivery and installation service – If you decide to switch to P50 Service-free Extinguishers, Safelincs will carry out a site survey at your premises, deliver and install the extinguishers free of charge. Our professional technicians will also commission the P50 extinguishers and supply and fit wall brackets with no extra charge. Your staff will receive training on how to complete the annual visual inspection and the engineer will complete and supply all relevant certification. Our team will even remove and recycle your old steel extinguishers!

money saving tip - p50 extinguishers
Switch to P50 Service-Free Extinguishers and reduce fire extinguisher costs

2. Install LED emergency lighting

The purchase price of LED emergency lighting has come down a lot in recent years. It is now in many cases cheaper than the cost of the traditional fluorescent bulb equivalent. Aside from the upfront cost saving, the accumulative saving with LED lighting is substantial.
With the price of electricity at a record high and continuing to rise, cutting energy usage can make a big difference to business expenses year on year. LED emergency lights such as the Eden LED Emergency Lighting Bulkhead (Maintained) are far more energy efficient. They use only 5W of power compared to the 21W used by a standard fluorescent bulb. View our LED Emergency Lighting cost for comparison article for further analysis of the amount that can be saved.
money saving tip - LED emergency lighting

3. Carry out regular maintenance checks

Keeping your fire safety equipment maintained in good working order is a legal requirement. This could also save you money in the long run. Servicing fire safety equipment and making regular checks will uncover any issues early on that could be more costly to rectify later on.

money saving tip - maintaining equipment
Regularly check and service fire safety equipment to reduce long term costs

4. Choose versatile fire extinguishers

Install a broad-spectrum fire extinguisher such as a Water Mist Extinguisher and you could reduce the number of fire extinguishers you require. Suitable for class A, B and C type fires and tested for use on live electrical equipment, Water Mist extinguishers are ideal for tackling most common fires found in offices, warehouses, schools, churches and many other locations.

money saving tip - versatile extinguishers
Choose versatile fire extinguishers to keep costs down

5. Take advantage of quantity discounts from a trusted supplier

Purchasing a higher quantity of equipment at one time means you can take advantage of quantity discounts. Safelincs offer a reduced unit price on many items when multiple units are purchased at the same time. It often also pays to use one trusted supplier for multiple services and equipment as this may help to reduce call out fees or delivery costs. Safelincs can provide a complete range of fire and safety services and equipment, and we would be happy to discuss your individual requirements.

If you would like to speak to our team about any of these money saving tips for businesses please call 0800 612 6537 or email info@safelincs.co.uk.

Mel Saunders

Head of Marketing

Mel joined Safelincs in 2020 and leads the content and marketing team.

WARNING: Students – don’t pack a door wedge!

As September approaches, a new cohort of students prepares to move away from home for the first time and are thinking about what to pack for university. Surprisingly some universities are suggesting students pack a door wedge to prop fire doors open to increase sociability and mobility. However, this presents serious fire safety risks. 

Don’t pack a door wedge!

Wedging fire doors open is dangerous. Students are already likely to prop open fire doors due to their impracticality. Encouraging a student to pack a door wedge increases this risk even further. Students find that fire doors can slam shut causing sleep disturbance, they limit socialisation, and can be inconvenient when moving in and out of the building. But, if fire doors are illegally propped open in university accommodation a fire could quickly spread, endangering lives. 

Don't pack a door wedge
Wedging fire doors open is dangerous

Why are fire doors important? 

Fire doors provide a barrier to toxic smoke and flames for between 30 and 60 minutes, allowing time for students to safely evacuate the building and for fire services to arrive. Not only does this save lives, but it also protects the building from irreversible damage. However, the doors cannot function if they are incorrectly wedged open. Fire will rapidly spread if a fire door is wedged open and unable to close. Despite these risks, 64% of premises visited by the fire services were found to use inappropriate and illegal ways to hold fire doors open. 80% of students living in university accommodation admitted to frequently ignoring fire safety regulations whilst living in university accommodation, making them seven times more likely to have a fire. To reduce this risk students should be educated on the importance of fire doors and how to spot and prevent fire doors from being illegally propped open.

How can you safely hold fire doors open?

Fire doors can be legally held open with a fire door retainer. A fire door retainer, such as a Dorgard is a legal way to hold fire doors open. Dorgard ‘hears’ the fire alarm when it sounds and will automatically allow the fire door to close in the event of a fire. This allows students more freedom to socialise within university accommodation, whilst ensuring fire safety regulations are met. 

Don't pack a door wedge - use a Dorgard
Hold fire doors open safely with a Dorgard Fire Door Retainer

Students should ensure that only safe and legal methods are used to hold fire doors open in their accommodation and should report illegal practices. Why not ask the university if they have fire door retainers installed? If a door wedge is on your child’s university packing list, make sure that is one item you don’t send them off with. 

Safelincs Water Mist Extinguishers delivered to protect Ukraine’s historic buildings

Working alongside the ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), Safelincs played a pivotal role in providing and delivering 440 Water Mist Extinguishers to Ukraine. The extinguishers will be used to protect up to 200 historic wooden churches in remote communities across the country.

Ukraine's historic buildings
Water Mist Fire Extinguishers will be used to protect Ukraine’s historic wooden churches

We were approached by the ICOMOS as part of an international effort to preserve Ukraine’s historic monuments in the war-ravaged country.  As part of our support package, we provided the Water Mist Extinguishers at well below cost-price. We also donated accessories and navigated complicated bureaucracy to organise shipping to Poland, which we included free of charge. From there, the Water Mist extinguishers were stored and transported by The Polish Committee for Ukrainian Museums.

Once in Ukraine, the fire extinguishers will be distributed to wooden churches on the UNESCO World Heritage List and other wooden churches of cultural and historical significance. Instructions for use were also translated into Ukrainian and will be distributed alongside the extinguishers.

Ukraine's historic churches
Sosenko fresco inside one of Ukraine’s historic churches
Water Mist Extinguishers
Water Mist extinguishers

Water Mist Extinguishers are ideal for use in this type of heritage building. They contain only de-ionised water dispensed through a supersonic nozzle creating a super fine mist. The water mist is so fine that it appears ‘dry’ and leaves no residue. This minimises potential damage to the fragile painted surfaces, fabrics and objects contained within the churches.

Mel Saunders

Head of Marketing

Mel joined Safelincs in 2020 and leads the content and marketing team.

New! P50 Water Mist Service-Free Extinguisher

Exclusive to Safelincs!

Safelincs is excited to announce the forthcoming launch of the P50 Water Mist Extinguisher. Developed in partnership with Britannia Fire, the Water Mist is the latest addition to the innovative P50 Service-Free Extinguisher range. The P50 Water Mist Extinguisher uses forward-thinking fire extinguisher technology to combine all the benefits of P50 Service-Free Extinguishers with the highly versatile and eco-friendly media of Water Mist.

Introducing the new P50 Water Mist Service-Free Extinguisher

A highly versatile and eco-friendly extinguisher

Fine droplets of de-ionised water are dispensed through a special nozzle creating a fine mist curtain that is highly effective on a wide range of fires. Water Mist can be used on class A, B and C fires as well as fires involving live electrical items of up to 1000v (at a distance of 1m). Its versatility makes it ideal for use in many circumstances including offices, warehouses, schools, hospitals, farms and entertainment venues.

As Water Mist contains only de-ionised water, it is non-toxic and kind to people, animals and the environment. Unlike foam, powder or water extinguishers, Water Mist leaves no messy residue to clean up. This make making it an ideal choice for indoor or outdoor use.

All the benefits of a service-free extinguisher

P50 Service-Free Extinguishers offer a variety of benefits including the potential to save you a substantial amount on your fire extinguisher costs. Their unique construction makes them incredibly lightweight yet strong and durable. Because of these distinctive attributes, they do not require annual servicing from a qualified engineer. Instead, a simple visual inspection can be completed annually by a member of your team. Safelincs will provide free training for this.

Unlike traditional fire extinguishers, P50 Service-Free Extinguishers do not need to be re-filled until they are 10 years old. They can then be refurbished for another 10 years of use, giving a total of 20 years of service. As they are not made from steel, P50 extinguishers will not corrode. They can be left outside without any further protection from the elements. Their super-strong construction makes them long-lasting, highly durable and impact-resistant.

Switch to P50 Water Mist Extinguishers and save

With no annual servicing fee and a long life-span, many organisations enjoy large cost savings as a result of switching to P50 Service-Free Extinguishers. Due to the versatility of the P50 Water Mist Extinguisher, it may also be possible to reduce the number of extinguishers needed on your site, saving further cost.

P50 Water Mist Service-Free Extinguishers are exclusive to Safelincs. We offer a complete installation package free of charge which includes a site survey, delivery, installation, commissioning, certification and staff training.

Register your interest at safelincs.co.uk

Mel Saunders

Head of Marketing

Mel joined Safelincs in 2020 and leads the content and marketing team.

New Smoke Alarm Regulations for Rented Homes in Wales

From 15th July 2022, the Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations come into force. All landlords in Wales will need to ensure their properties meet the new legislation in order to be classified as fit for human habitation. New rules on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are stipulated as part of the regulations. So, what does this mean for landlords in Wales?

new regulations for rented homes in Wales

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in rented properties in Wales

To comply with the new smoke alarm regulations, landlords must ensure all rented properties have a minimum of:

  • At least one hard-wired smoke alarm (mains powered) on each level of the home
  • All hard-wired alarms must be interlinked, either via a wireless radio-interlinking system or wired interlinking system
  • A carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fuel burning appliance (gas, oil or solid fuel)
  • A heat alarm in the kitchen 

View our range of alarms suitable for the new Welsh regulations.


Protecting tenants and property from fire

Whilst the above regulations set out a minimum smoke alarm requirement, it also recommends that in larger or more complex properties additional smoke alarms should be considered in order to fully protect tenants. Any alarms additional to the new regulations are not required to be interlinked or mains-powered.

With 60% of fires in the home beginning in the kitchen, a heat alarm is recommended. Heat alarms can be installed in the kitchen and will not be triggered by cooking fumes or steam, meaning less false alarms.

new smoke alarm regulations
Consider installing additional smoke and heat alarms in larger properties

What is the deadline for complying with the new Welsh regulations?

For smoke alarms, where there is already a tenancy in place on 15th July 2022, landlords will have until 15th July 2023 to comply with the new smoke alarm regulations. If a new tenancy starts after the 15th July 2022 deadline, smoke alarms must meet the new requirements at the start of the tenancy. The regulations for providing a CO alarm in each room with a fuel burning appliance is applicable in all rental homes regardless of tenancy agreements from 15th July 2022. More clarification can be sought in this in-depth smoke alarm guide from the Landlords Guild.

Which alarms do I need for my rental property in Wales?

Landlords need to provide mains-powered smoke alarms that are interlinking on each level of the rental home. Carbon monoxide alarms should also be provided. See above for full guidance on the new regulations. View our range of alarms suitable for the new Welsh regulations.

Who is responsible for the alarms once they are installed?

Under the new smoke alarms regulations in Wales, landlords are responsible for maintaining and replacing smoke alarms when necessary. It is important to note the date of alarm installation and when the alarm will require replacing. Smoke alarm sensors usually have a lifespan of 10 years (always check the manufacturer’s instructions), after which they become less effective. Landlords are not responsible for testing the smoke alarms.

Do hard-wired smoke alarms need to be installed by an electrician?

Yes. Hard-wired smoke alarms need to be installed by an electrician.

What is the penalty for not complying with the new smoke alarm rules?

The regulations have been updated to protect the safety of tenants. Radio-interlinked alarms alert residents sooner, allowing more time to escape in an emergency. Mains-powered alarms give more certainty to tenants and landlords than battery powered alarms. Under the new Fitness of Homes for Human Habitation legislation, any property that is not fitted with compliant smoke and carbon monoxide alarms will be deemed as not fit for human habitation. Until this is resolved, the tenant would not be required to pay rent.

Mel Saunders

Head of Marketing

Mel joined Safelincs in 2020 and leads the content and marketing team.

Save Money On Your Energy Bills! Draught-proof Your Home

With electric and gas prices rising, making your home as energy efficient as possible should be a priority for anyone looking to save money on their energy bills. According to Which? draught-proofing is one of the top 10 ways to reduce energy bills. DraughtEx and Gapseal draught excluders are an easy and cost-effective way to insulate your home and could cut your heating bills significantly.

save money on your energy bills
Save money on your energy bills by draught-proofing your home

Make your home more energy efficient

Stop heat escaping through gaps and cracks to make your home more energy efficient. By reducing heat loss, less energy will be required to heat your home. The EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of your home which takes into account the energy performance of windows and floors, can be improved by draught-proofing. Not only does a high EPC rating make for a more comfortable living environment, it may also help prospective buyers when selling your home. Landlords in England and Wales are required by law to get an EPC rating of band E or above when letting out properties. Draught-proofing is an easy solution to improving the energy efficiency and EPC rating whilst also reducing your carbon footprint.

Draught-proof your home with DraughtEx
Use DraughtEx to plug draughty floorboard gaps

Save money on your energy bills

Draught-proofing can significantly lower your energy bills as less heating is required to maintain your home at a comfortable temperature. The Energy Saving Trust predicts that insulating the floorboards on the ground floor of a gas-heated home could save as much as £85 per year. DraughtEx Floorboard Gap Filler is ideal for this purpose. In older houses with sash windows, Gapseal Sash Window Filler can also help to reduce heat loss around windows.

Save money by draught-proofing your home with Gapseal
Use Gapseal to reduce heat loss around sash windows

Easy, no-mess draught excluders

Both DraughtEx and Gapseal offer an easy, cost-effective solution to cold draughts. With no gluing required, both products are supplied with a free applicator tool to push the flexible tube into the gap, plugging the draught. The flexible nature of DraughtEx and Gapseal means that over time, the filler will not crack or age, giving long lasting draught protection.


Why not order a sample pack of DraughtEx or Gapseal and see the difference it could make to your home and energy bills?

DraughtEx Floorboard Gap Filler
  • Floorboard draught excluder
  • Supplied with FREE applicator tool
  • Available in 3 sizes: thin, standard and thick
  • FREE economy delivery

£7.91 ex VAT
£9.49 inc VAT
Buy Now
Gapseal Sash Window Gap Filler
  • Sash window draught excluder
  • Supplied with FREE applicator tool
  • Suitable for 2-7mm gaps
  • FREE economy delivery

£11.66 ex VAT
£13.99 inc VAT
Buy Now

Mel Saunders

Head of Marketing

Mel joined Safelincs in 2020 and leads the content and marketing team.

Temporary Fire Doors – Keeping Workers Safe on Construction Sites

Construction sites can be hazardous places and the health and safety of workers and contractors must be a priority. Installing temporary fire doors during the construction phase should be considered in the fire safety plan prior to construction. According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the principal designers should consider compartmentation and escape routes as part of their health and safety planning. This is particularly important in high rise buildings where the escape route could be cut off in the event of a fire.

construction site fire doors

Fire doors – part of a compartmentation system

If a fire breaks out, fire doors, walls, ceilings and floors can be designed to form a passive fire protection system. This system will contain a fire in one area of the building. It will prevent it from spreading and causing further damage or endangering lives. Construction site fire doors are a critical part of this system and can protect escape routes, allowing contractors to exit the building safely in the case of a fire.

Temporary fire rated doors

Temporary fire protection during construction does not need to look good! It needs to serve a purpose. Therefore a fire door that has no primer or final finish is ideal as a solution during the construction phase. An FD30 fire rated door usually provides sufficient protection. However, a higher rating may be required depending on the type of fire risks and building specifications. Fire doors, whether temporary or not, should be fitted with a self-closing device.

Build a temporary site fire door to your specifications and measurements using our fire door configurator. Choose a basic, unprimed finish, add door closers, intumescent fire and smoke seals and frames if required.

Find out more about temporary fire protection during construction in our article fire safety on construction sites.

Mel Saunders

Head of Marketing

Mel joined Safelincs in 2020 and leads the content and marketing team.