⚡ Quick picks
✅ Do these first: they’re free
- Test smoke and CO alarms monthly. Press the button.
- Many fire and rescue services offer free home fire safety visits. Check yours.
- Find your inside stopcock now, before you need it.
- Get gas appliances serviced every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Never overload adaptors. Our fuse video explains what that little fuse is doing.
Compare our picks
Swipe the table sideways →
| Pick | Best for | Key spec | Main downside | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kidde K5CO carbon monoxide alarm (10-year sensor) | CO alarm: main pick | CO · 10-year | Replace the whole unit at end of life | Check price on AmazonAd |
| FireAngel FA6813 carbon monoxide alarm (10-year) | CO alarm: alternative | CO · 10-year | Replace the whole unit at end of life | Check price on AmazonAd |
| X-Sense SD11 smoke alarm, 10-year sealed battery | Smoke alarm: budget | Smoke · 10-year | Not interlinked | Check price on AmazonAd |
| Firehawk FHB10 smoke alarm, 10-year battery | Smoke alarm: alternative | Smoke · 10-year | Not interlinked | Check price on AmazonAd |
| Firechief Kitemarked fire blanket, 1m x 1m (BS EN 1869) | Kitchen fires | 1m x 1m | Small fires only. If in doubt, get out and call 999 | Check price on AmazonAd |
| Martindale BZ101 socket tester with buzzer | Quick socket checks | Plug-in tester | It isn't a full electrical test. Call an electrician if you're worried | Check price on AmazonAd |
| Monument stopcock key (mini crutch) | Bursts: outside stopcock | Stopcock key | Find your inside stopcock first, as it's usually quicker | Check price on AmazonAd |
| Luigi's sink and drain plunger | Blocked sinks | Plunger | Not for a toilet unless the listing says so | Check price on AmazonAd |
We don't show prices because they change daily. Tap “Check price” for today's price on Amazon.
Out Fri 6 NovWhy Do British Plugs Have Fuses?
The video that goes with this guide, from the Mains & Drains channel.
▶ Subscribe so you don't miss itCarbon monoxide alarms
Fit one in every room with a gas, oil, coal or wood-burning appliance. Look for BS EN 50291 on the listing.
Kidde K5CO carbon monoxide alarm (10-year sensor)
Carbon monoxide has no smell. Fit one in every room with a gas, oil, coal or wood appliance.
- 10-year sensor
- Low cost
- Replace the whole unit at end of life
FireAngel FA6813 carbon monoxide alarm (10-year)
A well-known UK alarm brand, and a good second choice if the Kidde is out of stock.
- 10-year life
- Well-known UK brand
- Replace the whole unit at end of life
Smoke alarms
At least one on every floor. Look for BS EN 14604. In kitchens, use a heat alarm instead.
X-Sense SD11 smoke alarm, 10-year sealed battery
A sealed 10-year battery means no annual battery swaps and no tempting to borrow it for the remote.
- Sealed battery
- Low cost
- Not interlinked
- Not for kitchens (use a heat alarm there)
Firehawk FHB10 smoke alarm, 10-year battery
Another 10-year sealed option from a UK alarm brand.
- 10-year battery
- UK brand
- Not interlinked
Kitchen fire safety
For small pan fires only. If in doubt, get out, stay out and call 999.
Firechief Kitemarked fire blanket, 1m x 1m (BS EN 1869)
For small pan fires. Mount it on the wall away from the hob so you can reach it.
- Kitemarked to BS EN 1869 (per listing)
- Easy to use
- Small fires only. If in doubt, get out and call 999
Electrics and water
The cheap tools that save a panic.
Martindale BZ101 socket tester with buzzer
Plug it in for a quick check of socket wiring when you move into a new place.
- Quick and simple
- Audible buzzer
- It isn't a full electrical test. Call an electrician if you're worried
Monument stopcock key (mini crutch)
Turns off an outside water stopcock in a burst, when every minute counts.
- Cheap
- Fits most UK outside stopcocks
- Find your inside stopcock first, as it's usually quicker
Luigi's sink and drain plunger
Use this before you reach for chemicals.
- Cheap
- Reusable
- Not for a toilet unless the listing says so
📄 Print it, stick it on the fridge
UK First Home Survival Guide (£7): written for UK homes, instant A4 download.
Questions people ask
Where should a CO alarm go?
In each room with a fuel-burning appliance, typically 1–3m from it and at head height or on the ceiling. Follow the alarm's instructions.
Are 10-year sealed alarms worth it?
Yes for most homes. There's no battery to forget, and you replace the whole unit when it expires.
Why you can trust this guide
We haven’t lab-tested these products, and we won’t pretend we have. Every pick is researched and recommended: we compare specs, UK safety standards, warranties, official guidance and patterns in owner reviews, and we write down the real downsides. No brand paid to be here. Read how we choose.
Official advice and sources: GOV.UK: fire safety in the home · Gas Safe Register · Electrical Safety First
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