Fire safety in your home

We take fire safety seriously and want to help you stay safe.

Do you know your Evacuation Plan?

Make sure everyone in your home knows how to get out safely if there’s a fire. Keep escape routes clear and make sure door and window keys are easy to find.

Never store anything in shared areas like hallways or stairwells. These must be clear so people can escape and emergency services can get in.

Speak to your Housing Officer to learn more about your building’s fire safety plan. You can also call us on  0344 736 0066.

Fire Doors

Fire doors help stop fire and smoke from spreading. They give people time to escape and help emergency services get in safely.

Each year, contractors will check fire doors in your building to make sure they’re working properly. We’ll let you know when they’re coming.

Here’s a quick checklist to help you check your fire door:

  1. Self-closing device – Open the door and let it close on its own. It should shut firmly without sticking.
  2. Fire strips – Look for fuzzy strips around the top and sides of the door. They should be in good condition.
  3. Door and frame – Check for damage or holes.

If your door fails any of these checks, call us straight away on 0344 736 0066.

Fire door with arrows pointing at different parts of door with safety checks described in text

Communal areas

To keep everyone safe, shared spaces like hallways and stairways must always be clear.

  • Don’t leave anything in communal areas – it could block escape routes or cause someone to trip.
  • Stairways are escape routes – they must be kept completely clear.
  • Fire doors must stay closed – never prop them open.
  • The fire service needs clear access – items left in shared spaces can stop them from doing their job.

We check these areas regularly. If we find anything that could be a fire risk, we’ll remove and dispose of it.

Smoke alarms

You should have at least one working smoke alarm on every floor of your home.

  • Never remove the batteries
  • Test your alarms regularly

You can test them yourself or ask your Scheme Manager, a friend, neighbour or family member.

Did you know? Around 90 people die each year because their smoke alarm had no battery or wasn’t working.

Smoking & E-cigarettes

Smoking

  • Use a proper ashtray on a flat surface, away from anything that can catch fire
  • Make sure cigarettes are fully out before you leave them
  • Never smoke in bed or when you’re tired, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Did you know?  Every three days, someone dies in a fire caused by a cigarette.

E-cigarettes

  • Don’t leave e-cigarettes charging for long periods
  • Only use the charger that came with your device
  • Buy from trusted shops and check for CE certification

 

Portable heaters

We recommend using oil-filled radiators only. Please don’t use gas, halogen or fan heaters.

  • Keep heaters away from curtains, furniture and clothes
  • Never use heaters to dry clothes
  • Always unplug heaters before bed or when leaving your home

Candles

  • Keep candles away from curtains, furniture and clothes
  • Never leave candles burning when you leave the room
  • Always blow them out before bed

Did you know? Candles cause more than five fires every day.

Cooking & Electrical items

Cooking:

  • Keep cooking areas clear of paper and fabrics
  • Clean ovens and grills to stop grease fires
  • Never leave pans unattended
  • If a pan catches fire, turn off the heat if it’s safe – never throw water on it

Did you know? Over half of home fires start in the kitchen.

Electrical items:

  • Switch off and unplug things like TVs and chargers before bed or when you go out
  • Only leave essential items on

 

Electrical items
When you go to bed or leave your home, only leave essential appliances switched on – switch off and unplug electrical items such as TVs and charging plugs.

If you suspect there is a fire behind a closed door

  • Use the back of your hand to check if the door or handle feels warm
  • If it does, there may be a fire behind it
  • Smoke rises – get low to the ground and leave through the nearest safe exit