Fire safety information for council housing tenants and leaseholders

Fire safety information for council housing tenants and leaseholders

Many fires in the home are caused by simple carelessness, so remember:

• Put cigarettes out properly before emptying ashtrays
• Don’t smoke in bed
• Don’t dry or air clothes around fires or cookers
• Keep matches away from children.
• Put fireguards around fires.
• Unplug or switch off all electrical equipment not being used, look out for danger signs of faulty appliances or wiring such as:
  • hot plugs and sockets
  • fuses that blow for no obvious reason
  • lights flickering
  • scorch marks on plugs and sockets 
• Close all doors before going to bed.
• Take extra care when frying chips or other foods – never leave a chip pan unattended. If it catches fire smother it with a damp cloth – do not throw water on the pan.
• Refrain from smoking in all internal common areas or blocks.
• Remember – barbeques are not allowed on balconies.
• Keep fire exits and escape routes clear. This could be a door leading from your home, a balcony walkway or any shared landing or staircase. The hall may be the only way out of your home so make sure there is nothing that might slow you down.
• Be careful with candles and make sure they are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire, like curtains.
• see the Escaping from a high rise and the Fire safety in the home leaflets issued by the LFB

For further information on smokefree please follow the link: smokefreeengland

Visit: The London Fire Brigade

If a fire breaks out:

• If it is safe too do so close all doors to prevent fire spreading
• Get everyone out quickly
• Call the fire brigade using 999 and give the exact address of the fire
• Use a neighbour’s phone or public call box – never go back into your home to use your own phone.
• Stay out of your home until the fire brigade tells you it is safe to return
• If clothing catches fire lie down and roll around, as it makes it harder for the fire to spread. You can also smother the flames with a coat or blanket.
• Finally ... Have a plan. Know where you are going to go and what to do if there is a fire.

Smoke alarms

Working smoke alarms save lives. They give you those vital extra few moments to get your family out of harm’s way. Please fit them in your home – they are relatively cheap and easy to install. Check that they carry a quality mark such as the British Standard kite mark (BS) or a European Conformity mark (CE).

You should also check and replace the batteries from time to time to make sure they are in full working order. Most smoke alarms are fitted with a test button so that you can easily check the smoke alarm is working.