Fire safety

If you live in a tower block please make sure that communal areas are kept clear. These include:

• corridors and
• stair wells

Never store personal belongings or rubbish in communal areas. This is a serious fire risk, especially in our high rise tower blocks.

Detailed information on fire safety in tower blocks can be found in our:

• Tower Blocks page

We carry out fire risk assessments on all of our high-rise tower blocks, and our front-line staff do a variety of ongoing checks to help ensure your safety.

• Many kitchen fires start while cooking is unattended. Hot fats, oils and food can easily overheat and catch fire.
• If you have to leave the kitchen, turn the cooker off and take the saucepans off the heat.
• Don’t leave children alone in the kitchen when the hob or oven is on.
• Be careful when cooking with hot oil. Think about buying a deep-fat fryer controlled by a thermostat.
• If you’re using the oven, use a timer.
• Cleaning your cooking appliances and extractor fan reduces the risk of fire.
• If you come across a fire in the kitchen don’t try to tackle it.
  • Turn off the heat if you can safely.
  • Never throw water on the fire.
  • Close the kitchen door, leave the property
  • Call 999.

• Make sure to test your smoke detector weekly.
• If you think any of your smoke detectors aren’t working or if they’re beeping, contact us straight away.
• You can get full contact details in our:
  • Contact us section 
• Never cover or remove a smoke detector.

Did you know?

Having a working smoke detector makes it four times more likely that you’ll survive a fire during the night.

• Don’t overload sockets with appliances – try to keep one plug to each socket.
• Report signs of scorching, discolouration or faulty operation on sockets to us immediately.
  • This can be done by calling our Repairs Line on 03448 920 901.
• Never allow water to touch electrics – this can cause electrocution or fire.
• Switch off appliances at night, unless they are designed to be left on, such as your fridge/freezer.
• Don’t dry clothes close to electric heaters.
• Only buy approved chargers for rechargeable devices - cheaper options may be unsafe.

Did you know?

Faulty electrical appliances, wiring and overloaded sockets cause around 7,000 fires in the home every year in the UK.

• Keep candles and tea lights in proper holders and away from curtains and clothes.
• Never leave candles unattended.
• Ensure that candles are extinguished before you go to sleep.

• Stub cigarettes out properly and dispose of them carefully.
• If you smoke in your home, keep ashtrays away from furniture. Use a proper ashtray that’s deep, heavy and non-flammable.
• Take extra care if you smoke when you’re tired, have taken medication, or if you’ve consumed alcohol.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.

• Make a plan so that everyone in your home knows how to escape in a fire.
• Keep the exits from your home clear so people can escape in a fire.
• Make sure the keys to windows and doors are easy to find.
• Take notice of any fire evacuation signs in your building. These will show you what to do.
• If you live in a block of flats, familiarise yourself with the evacuation procedure. Never use the lift if your building is on fire.
• Always be vigilant to ensure that the escape routes are not blocked by unauthorised items.
• If there is an unauthorised item blocking an escape route, it is important to notify us.
• You can get full contact details in our:
  • Contact us section 

• Close room doors at night.
• Don’t leave the TV or other electrical appliances on standby, and at Christmas time, turn your Christmas tree lights off at night.
• Check any soft furnishings where people have been smoking.
• Make sure the contents are cold before emptying ashtrays,
• Keep the exits from your home clear so people can escape in a fire.