Preventing fires in your flat
Never leave unattended candles burning.
Flammable liquids such as petrol or paraffin must not be stored in your home or on your balcony. Never set off fireworks or throw them from your balcony. Never throw any lit cigarette or any other naked flame from your balcony.
Never light a barbecue on your balcony or in your home.
Do not store items on your balcony – they can be a fire risk. Make sure any pigeon netting is kept free from debris.
Preventing fires in communal areas
The communal areas in high rise blocks must be kept clear of any items that may cause a fire.
To keep them safe you should:
- always keep landings, stairwells and corridors clear
- never use communal areas to store items such as bicycles, pushchairs and prams, scooters etc
- put rubbish down the rubbish chute and not left in communal areas or the chute rooms
- make sure electrical or gas meter cupboards are kept locked shut and have nothing stored in them
- always close doors in communal areas as these are fire doors which are designed to prevent a fire from spreading
- never smoke in the communal areas – this is against the law
- make sure that any debris or rubbish is removed from the netting around your balcony
- always report to your housing officer if you see anybody leaving burn marks on walls, windows or fixtures and fittings, or using a naked flame in a communal area
- always allow access to the Building and Technical Service for them to carry out fire safety works
Oxygen
Do not go near any naked flames such as candles, or other heat sources, whilst you are using oxygen – you must keep it at least 2 metres, or 6 ft away.
Always store oxygen cylinders upright.
Mobility scooters
Mobility scooters are extremely flammable. If you have, or are intending to get one, you should let your tenancy officer know as there may be storage difficulties within your flat.
If you have a mobility scooter you must:
- not store them in communal areas, they should always be stored in your flat
- make sure your battery is recharged safely and not left unattended when they’re charging
- service the scooter regularly
Only electric scooters are allowed in council blocks.
We strongly recommend you get insurance for your scooter.
Smoking
Cigarettes, roll ups and cigars cause more deaths by fire than anything else. You can help prevent this by:
- never smoking in bed
- using a proper heavy ashtray that won’t tip over easily
- making sure that all contents of the ashtray are fully out before tipping them into a bin
- never leaving lit cigarettes, roll ups or cigars unattended
If you use electronic cigarettes please do consider the following safety advice:
- always follow the manufacturer’s advice on safe charging, use and disposal
- keep the device away from flammable materials when it’s charging including near to bedding or soft furnishings
- charge it on a flat stable surface such as a table away from cluttered spaces
- do not leave the device unattended or over the recommended charging time – there have been cases when electronic cigarettes have exploded