Understanding Fire Safety

Fire can be a serious danger, but by taking simple precautions and knowing what to do, you can significantly reduce risks. This guide will help you understand common fire hazards and how to react if a fire starts.

Fire Safety Equipment in Your Home

Your FlatHomes property is equipped with essential fire safety devices:

• Smoke Alarms: These are usually located in hallways, landings, and sometimes living rooms and bedrooms. They detect smoke and alert you with a loud sound.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms: If your property has gas appliances (like a boiler or gas hob), you will have a CO alarm. Carbon monoxide is a silent, invisible, and odourless gas that can be deadly.
• Fire Doors (in some properties, especially HMOs): These are specially designed doors that can hold back fire and smoke for a certain period, helping to protect escape routes. Keep them closed.

Your Responsibilities:

• Test Alarms Weekly: Press the 'test' button on all smoke and CO alarms once a week to ensure they are working.
• Report Faults Immediately: If an alarm doesn't work when tested, or if it's beeping to indicate a low battery, report it to FlatHomes immediately. Do NOT remove alarms or batteries.
• Keep Fire Doors Clear: Do not wedge fire doors open or block them. They are there to protect you.

Common Fire Hazards & Prevention Tips

Most fires are preventable. Here are some key areas to be aware of:

Kitchen Safety:

• Never leave cooking unattended: Especially frying with oil.
• Keep flammable items away: Ensure tea towels, oven gloves, and curtains are away from hobs and ovens.
• Clean regularly: Clean grills, ovens, and extractor fans to prevent grease build-up.
• Don't overload sockets: Avoid plugging too many appliances into one socket.

Electrical Safety:

• Check appliances: Ensure all electrical appliances are in good condition; look for frayed wires or scorch marks.
• Don't overload sockets: Use extension leads safely and avoid 'daisy-chaining' them.
• Unplug when not in use: Unplug chargers and appliances when you leave the house or go to bed.
• Buy safely: Only use genuine, CE marked electrical goods.

Smoking:

• Smoke outdoors: If you smoke, do so outside the property.
• Use proper ashtrays: Ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished in a proper, non-combustible ashtray.
• Never smoke in bed.

Heating:

• Keep clear: Ensure heaters are kept clear of curtains, furniture, and drying clothes.
• Don't cover heaters: Never cover electric or portable heaters.
• Regular servicing: Your landlord is responsible for annual gas safety checks.

Candles & Open Flames:

• Never leave unattended: Extinguish candles, incense, and open flames when leaving a room or going to bed.
• Use safely: Place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from anything flammable.

What to Do in Case of a Fire

Knowing what to do in an emergency can save lives. Follow these steps:

1. Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999:

• Alert everyone: Shout "Fire!" to alert everyone in the property.
• Evacuate immediately: Get out of the property as quickly and calmly as possible. Do not stop to collect belongings.
• Use your escape route: If safe, follow your pre-planned escape route. If your escape route is blocked by smoke or fire, find an alternative.
• Close doors behind you: If safe to do so, close doors behind you to help contain the fire and smoke.
• Go to your agreed meeting point: Once outside, go to a safe meeting point away from the property.
• Call 999: As soon as you are safely outside, call the fire service immediately. Give them your full address and details of the fire.
• Do NOT go back inside: Never re-enter a burning building for any reason.

2. If You Can't Get Out:

• Go to a room with a window, preferably one with a phone.
• Close the door and put a towel or bedding at the bottom to block smoke.
• Open the window and shout for help.
• If smoke enters the room, stay low to the floor where the air is clearer.
• Call 999 and tell them exactly where you are.

Emergency Contacts

For any fire emergency, always call 999 first.

Once you are safe, please contact FlatHomes to report the incident:

• FlatHomes Emergency Line: 02921 12 12 12
• Email: info@flathomes.co.uk 

For non-emergency fire safety advice, you can also contact your local fire and rescue service.

Further Information

For more detailed information on fire safety, you can visit:

• Government Fire Safety Advice for Your Home
• Welsh Government Fire Safety Guidance
• FlatHomes Emergency Contacts Page