Fire safety
Fires are dangerous. They can badly damage your home or harm you.
Luckily there are some simple things you can do to make sure your home is as safe as possible.
Smoke alarms
We follow Building Regulation requirements, and install smoke alarms and heat detectors where appropriate in your property.
Your property will have a Fire Risk Assessment which tells us where smoke alarms and heat detectors are needed. We recommend you regularly test the batteries in your smoke alarms by pushing the test button.
Cooking
The most likely place for a fire to start is in the kitchen.
When you are cooking make sure that you do not leave the kitchen.
Make sure that towels are away from open flames and the cooker.
Keep your oven and grill clean as fat and bits of food can catch fire.
Check you have turned everything off when you have finished cooking.
Do not use a chip pan as they are very dangerous.
Electrical equipment
We test electrical equipment that we provide to make sure it is safe but it is important you know about the dangers of electricity.
If an electrical appliance, wire, plug or socket looks damaged then do not use it. Please report it to us immediately on 03333 204555.
If there are scorch marks around a plug on the wall then do not plug anything into it.
Do not plug more than one thing into each socket.
Switch off and unplug things when you are not using them.
Make sure that wires are not tangled. When a wire is tangled and electricity is running through it the wire can get extremely hot and start a fire.
Fires or heaters
When you are not in the room make sure you turn off your fire or electric heater.
Do not leave your fire or electric heater on overnight.
Do not leave anything close to a fire or heater.
If you have a portable electric heater then make sure you do not position it right next to a wall or piece of furniture.
If you use an electric blanket then make sure you switch it off before you go to bed.
Other hazards
We would recommend that you do not use candles and do not smoke inside.
What happens if there is a fire?
Your support worker will have a plan of what you should do in the event of a fire. If you are unsure what you should do then please speak to your support worker. You should always follow these rules.
Get out and stay out.
If a fire alarm goes off or you see or smell a fire then you should get out safely as soon as possible.
Remember to stay calm and not to panic.
Do not try to put the fire out and do not grab any of your belongings on your way out.
If there is smoke then get down on your hands and knees where the air is clearer.
Once you are outside get a safe distance from the house and ring 999.
What if I can’t get out?
If a fire blocks your normal exit route from a building then try to find another way out.
Use the stairs and not a lift.
If there is no way out using a door then if you are on the ground floor then you can try escaping through a window.
If you cannot get out through a door or window then you should find a room without any smoke in it and close the door.
Stay as low as possible to avoid the smoke.
Put something like a towel or clothes behind the door to stop any smoke coming through the gap under the door.
If you have a mobile phone then ring 999.
Try to let people know you are there by shouting.
If your clothes catch fire remember to stop, drop and roll.
If you need any help with fire safety then please talk to your care provider or supported living housing officer.
If you home in Lancashire, we have a partnership agreement with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service who also provide useful fire safety information, which is available on their website.