21/03/2022
Top tips to keep you and your family fire safe
For many of us our home is where we feel most safe and secure, and making sure we prepare for and prevent fires is a big part of that. From testing your smoke alarms regularly and keeping escape routes clear, to having an evacuation plan in mind, there are many ways we can stay fire safe at home. Keep reading to find out more!
Make sure you have smoke and CO alarms fitted
As your landlord, we'll take care of installing smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors on every floor of your home, repairing them if they break, and regularly carrying out safety checks in any communal areas. You should have at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home, however if you think you should have more installed, or you have any concerns please let us know! Smoke alarms are the simplest way to keep yourself and your family safe.
Test your alarms regularly
Smoke alarms save lives, but only if they work! In the event of a fire, you may have as little as two minutes to escape, so having a working smoke alarm in your home is crucial. An early warning from a smoke alarm, could help to ensure you and your family escape the building safely.
You should get into the habit of testing your alarms at least once a month, if not weekly, to ensure they are in full working order. To make sure they are working, press the test button once and you should hear the alarm sound loud and clear from every room in the house. If you hear an alarm beeping, take it down and either replace the battery or call us so that we can carry out a repair. To find out more about testing your alarms, head over to the helpful resources page of our website.
Check electrical appliances
You might not think it, but electrical appliances are a leading cause of many accidental fires, with 34% of accidental fires in England being caused by misuse of equipment or appliances. The majority of us will use some sort of electrical appliance throughout the day, whether it’s to help make a meal, clean the house or get ready. To help avoid electrical fires you should:
- Always check you have the correct fuse to prevent overheating
- Never leave devices charging for long periods of time
- Never overload sockets
- Check electrical appliances have the British or European safety mark (CE)
- Clean your tumble dryer filter after every load
- Look out for loose wiring, hot plugs and flickering lights
Keep escape routes and fire exits clear
Whether you live in a house, bungalow or a block of flats, you should always ensure escape routes are kept clear of any obstacles. You should keep doorways and landings free of personal items and always keep fire doors closed to limit the spread of a fire. An emergency exit is a clear, safe way to get out of a building so it’s important that you don’t block these or create trip hazards.
Check your insurance cover
It’s always important to check what type of insurance coverage you have in place. As your landlord we will take out building’s insurance for your home, however it’s your responsibility to take out contents insurance. You may think that a fire or flood will never impact you, but if the worst was to happen, contents insurance could cover the cost of replacing your personal belongings. Without it, you could be left with nothing. Check out our most recent article to find out why contents insurance is a must!
Have an evacuation plan in mind
Knowing what to do in the event of a fire is really important and could help you escape the building quickly and safely. As a family, you should select an escape route and make sure everyone knows about it. If you live in a block of flats, make sure you are aware of the fire procedures and familiarise yourself with the evacuation process. You should investigate your escape routes and if in any doubt, please get in touch with us. If you have a disability, you’ll have a specific evacuation plan to suit you.
Your safety is our priority
There you have it, some simple ways to ensure you and you family stay fire safe at home. It’s important to remember that these tasks only take a few minutes, but they could help save your life. If you’re looking for more information and guidance, then head over to the helpful resources page of our website, and if you need someone to talk to, just give us a call!