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Fire Safety

How to reduce the risk of fire and the action to take should a fire occur

Fire Safety

DO

DO NOT

Test your smoke alarms once a week to ensure they are working correctly. If you cannot find your smoke alarm or it does not sound when you press the test button, please call 0300 777 2600 and report a repair

Keep doors closed at night to prevent the spread of fire Keep lighters and matches out of reach of children

Unplug televisions and other non-essential appliances at night or when not in use

Tie refuse bags to ensure combustible items such as paper or cardboard are secure. By doing this it will also help to reduce unpleasant odours within the allocated bin storage area

Smoke within communal areas. Ensure you do not leave a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe lying around. Keep ashtrays clean and dispose of any ash

Overload electrical sockets or use appliances with loose connections or damaged cables

Disconnect your smoke alarm if it keeps sounding, please report the fault

Leave candles unattended in a room or in a position that children or pets could knock them off

Store barbeques, flammable liquids, or domestic waste within communal areas or balconies

Over-fill chip pans and NEVER throw water on a chip pan fire

Leave your cooker unattended when in use and avoid leaving children alone in the kitchen with items on the hob

Be Prepared - Make an Action Plan

• Choose the best escape route from your property and always keep this route clear of clutter
• Ensure that everyone in your property is aware of this route and all door or window keys needed are within easy reach
• Plan a secondary route in case your first route is blocked. If both your routes are blocked it may be safer to stay inside your property and await the Fire Brigade
• Choose a room with a window and preferably a phone. Close the door behind you and block the bottom of the door with blankets or cushions to prevent smoke from entering the room
• It is important to let people know where you are so if you haven’t managed to dial 999, open the window and call for help
• If the window is on the ground or the first floor you may be able to escape through this but you should only do this as a last resort. Do not jump! Lower yourself by your arms using the window ledge to grip onto. If there are two adults, one should go down first to catch children. The other should lie down and lower children as far as possible before letting them drop

Living in Flats, Apartments, or Sheltered Accommodation

If you live on an upper floor in a block of flats and a fire breaks out within the block you should:
• Follow the fire action policy for your building. The policies will be on signs around your block
• Do not use the lift (if applicable)
• Your door is designed to withstand fire for at least half an hour and your flat is designed to act as a safe fire refuge until the fire brigade can rescue you
• For your safety and the safety of others, you are required to not place ANY items within the communal areas such as furniture, plants, tables, doormats, mobility scooters, prams, bicycles or other personal items
• Landings, balconies, lobbies, corridors, and stairways form part of the designated “means of escape” in a block of flats or sheltered scheme. You are required to keep these areas clear at all times. You must not store any flammable items in these areas. We will take legal action against you if you do not comply with these safety requirements