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fIRE
safety
RESIDENT GUIDE
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fire safety Contents Introduction..............................................................................................................................1 What to do in a fire.............................................................................................................1 Make sure that you can escape.....................................................................................2 Security gates and grilles Storage in communal areas Storage in your home Secondary means of escape
Smoke alarms ..........................................................................................................................4 Preventing fire .........................................................................................................................5 Smoking Make your kitchen safe Chip pans/hot fat frying Barbecues Candles Heating
Electrical equipment ............................................................................................................10 Wiring Electrical appliances Electric blankets
Bedtime routine .....................................................................................................................12 Anti-social behaviour...........................................................................................................12 Leasehold properties ..........................................................................................................13 Celebrate safely......................................................................................................................14 Advice for parents of young children ........................................................................15 Advice for carers of older people...............................................................................16
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fire safety
fire can affect anyone! We work with the London Fire Brigade to make sure your homes are safe. Further information on fire safety can be found on the LFB’s website at https://www.london-fire.gov.uk and at http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/knowthe-plan.asp Report problems to us If you have any questions or conccerns about fire safety in your block, for example, if a fire door isn't closing or if furniture has been left in a communal area, please ring our Repairs line on 0800 035 1991 or e-mail us on
[email protected]
what to do in a fire If the fire is in your home l
get everyone out
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close doors behind you
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try to warn neighbours
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use the stairs not the lift
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leave the building and move a safe distance away
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phone 999 from outside.
If the fire is in another flat in the same block l
It is generally safer to stay inside your own flat unless heat and smoke are affecting you.
If your home is affected but you are unable to leave the building l l
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call for help from a window use towels and sheets around the edges of the door of the room to prevent smoke ingress if affected by smoke, stay as low as possible 1
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fire safety make sure that you can escape Security gates and grilles A number of homes have security gates or grilles fitted over front doors. These can block access for the Fire Brigade in the event of an emergency as well as preventing you from escaping. The London Fire Brigade advise that if you have a security gate/grille fitted this should be left unlocked at all times anybody is in the property. Know where the keys are to any doors, gates, grilles or windows that you might need to open in order to escape and make sure that everyone in your home knows where these are kept. Storage in communal areas Communal escape routes must be kept clear. Do not leave shoes, prams, bin bags etc. on escape routes. They pose an arson risk and in an emergency can prevent you from getting out. You must not leave bulk rubbish such as old mattresses, sofas etc in communal areas (even if you have arranged collection through the council). If you have a doorstep food waste collection, the food waste caddies should only be left on your doorstep on your collection day and at no other time.
Storage in your home To prevent fire at home, keep any combustible materials away from sources of ignition. Flammable substances such as petrol and gas canisters used for barbecues or DIY hot work must not be kept in Poplar HARCA properties or on balconies. Fire can start and spread more quickly if your home is cluttered. Try to throw things away regularly so that your home is kept clear. If you think that you or a family member is hoarding, inform your Housing Manager and arrange a home fire safety visit. This will enable Poplar HARCA and the LFB to work with the person to clear their home and also to make sure they know what to do if there is a fire and how to escape. Further information on hoarding can be found at http://www.helpforhoarders.co.uk/resources/
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fire safety Secondary means of escape Some blocks have a secondary means of escape via balconies or through doors in the bed or living rooms. These lead onto escape routes from which you can make your way safely to the ground floor. Make sure that you and your family members are familiar with these and that they are usable: l
The doors should open easily and should not be obstructed.
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Routes along balconies should be kept clear.
Connecting gates and doors should not be locked with padlocks or bolts. You must report any repairs that are needed to secondary escape routes to us as soon as possible. l
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fire safety smoke alarms Smoke alarms save lives. Make sure you have one and that it works. You can purchase battery-operated smoke alarms from most DIY shops and major supermarkets. If you don’t have an alarm, the LFB will fit one free of charge when you have a home fire safety visit. How can I obtain a free smoke alarm and home fire safety check? We encourage all residents to request an LFB home fire safety check. This can be arranged via the LFB website or by calling 0800 028 4428.
Test your smoke alarm Test your smoke alarms monthly using the test button. If your smoke alarm is battery-operated, replace your batteries annually (unless you have a 10year alarm) or whenever required. If you have wired-in smoke alarms fitted by Poplar HARCA, phone us on our freephone number 0800 035 1991 if they are not working. Wired-in smoke alarms have a back-up battery to ensure that your alarm will still work during a power failure. This type of alarm will "chirp" if the battery is running low in which case you should change it. Vacuum your smoke alarms periodically by holding the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner up to the closed case. This reduces dust build-up thereby helping to prevent false alarms.
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fire safety preventing fire Smoking If you or someone in your home smokes, take the following simple steps to prevent a fire l Never smoke in bed or when you are sleepy – you could fall asleep, allowing your lit cigarette to fall from your hand and start a fire. l Take extra care when smoking if you have been drinking alcohol or taking medication, as these can affect your awareness of what is going on around you. l Use a proper ashtray that won’t burn or tip over easily, and don’t take risks by leaving lit cigarettes unattended. l Do not empty your ashtray into a bin as this can cause the bin to catch fire. Add a drop of water to the ashtray to help to make it safe, then leave it to cool down fully. l If you would like to quit smoking, call the NHS Stop Smoking Helpline on 0800 1690169 or visit the Go Smoke Free website on http://www.nhs.uk/smokefree Make your kitchen safe l
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Keep electrical leads, tea towels, cloths, loose clothing and anything else that may catch fire away from the oven and hob. Keep the oven, hob, grill and cooker hood clean – a build-up of fat and grease can easily catch fire. Keep your toaster clean, free of crumbs and away from curtains, kitchen rolls and anything else that could catch fire. 5
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Never put anything metallic inside your microwave. Never attempt to sterilise dish cloths or sponges by heating them in the microwave. Never overload sockets – use one plug in each socket. If you have to, use a fused adapter and keep the total output to no more than 13 amps (a kettle alone uses 13 amps). Remember, high-rated appliances such as washing machines always need their own socket. Make sure plugs have the correct fuse for the appliance being used. If in doubt, refer to the manufacturers’ instructions. Turn off electrical appliances when not being used and have them serviced regularly. Keep electrical leads and appliances away from water. Use a spark device to light gas cookers as this is safer than using matches or lighters. Never leave children alone in the kitchen. Keep matches, lighters and pan handles where children can’t reach them. Fit a child safety catch to the oven door. Keep handles of pans turned to the back of the hob and away from other gas burners/electric rings. Take pans off the heat and turn off the hob and/or grill if you have to leave the kitchen while cooking, and make sure the oven, hob and grill are turned off when you have finished cooking. Avoid cooking if you are tired, have been drinking alcohol or are taking medication that can make you drowsy.
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fire safety Chip pans/hot fat frying l A thermostatically-controlled deep fat fryer is safer than a traditional chip pan or wok. l Position it in a safe place out of reach of children and where the leads will not be caught or the pan knocked over. l Never fill a pan more than a third full with fat or oil. l Dry chips/food before putting them in the pan. l If the oil has started smoking turn off the heat and leave the oil to cool down, otherwise it may catch fire. l Turn off the hob if you have to leave the kitchen whilst cooking. If your pan catches fire: l Don't move the pan. l Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on a hot fat fire. l If it's safe to do so - turn off the heat, but never lean over the pan to reach the controls. l Leave the kitchen, close the door behind you, tell everyone else in the home to get out and don’t go back inside for any reason. l Call 999. Barbecues Barbecues and fuels - gas cylinders, starter fuel, etc. should not be stored in homes or on flat balconies. Residents are not permitted to use barbecues on flat balconies due to the risk of fire spread.
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fire safety Candles Many of us enjoy using candles, particularly during celebrations and festivals, but none of us want to burn down our homes or risk our lives by not using candles safely. l Always place your candles/tea lights in a suitable fire resistant candleholder l Make sure the candleholder holds the candle/tea light firmly and is on a flat and stable surface to stop it falling over. l Always put the candleholder on a heat resistant surface like a ceramic plate (tea lights can melt plastic surfaces such as the top of a television or the side of a bath). l Always leave at least 10cm (four inches) between burning candles/tea lights and never place them under shelves or other enclosed spaces. Keep candles/tea lights, matches and lighters out of the reach of children and pets. l Keep candles/tea lights away from curtains, furniture and anything else that can catch fire. Keep loose clothing and hair away from candles/tea lights when they are lit. l Always put candles/tea lights out and leave to cool down before you try to move them. Always put candles/tea lights out when you are out of the room and when you go to sleep. l Use a candle ‘snuffer’ or a metal spoon to put the candle/tea light out - it is safer than blowing them out which can send sparks and hot wax flying.
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fire safety Heating Caution must be exercised with portable heaters in order to avoid fire: l
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Gas cylinder, bioethanol and radiant electric fires (bar fires) should not be used in Poplar HARCA properties due to the high fire and explosion risk Portable radiators and radiant halogen heaters are safer than fan heaters that have moving parts so can become overheated.
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Do not put anything on heaters or use them to dry clothes
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Never sit too close to the heater as you could set light to your clothes or chair, especially if you fall asleep. Heaters should stand where they can't be knocked over, away from beds, furniture and fabrics.
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Do not put anything on the heater or use it to dry clothes.
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Make sure all heaters are guarded, particularly if you have children.
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Never try to move any portable heater while it is alight/switched on – always turn it off and allow it to cool first.
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fire safety electrical eQuipment Fires in the home can be caused by faulty wiring in plugs and electrical appliances or electrical equipment not being used safely. A few simple checks and precautions can make all the difference to the safety of your home. Wiring If you notice any of the warning signs below, ask a qualified electrician to check your wiring. l Hot plugs and sockets l Fuses that blow for no obvious reason l Lights that flicker l Intermittent faults – appliances stopping and starting l Brown scorch marks on sockets, plugs and fuse boxes Electrical appliances l Turn off and unplug all electrical appliances when you are not using them except those that are meant to be permanently switched on (like the fridge or DVD recorder). l Make sure plugs have the correct fuse for the appliance being used. If in doubt, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. l Use only one plug in each socket. l If you have to use an adapter, use a fused ‘in line’ type. l Avoid multi-way adapters and overloading electric sockets by using several adapters as they may overheat. l Don't run leads or cables under carpets or rugs – you won't be able to see if they become damaged. l Check for signs of loose wiring and faulty plugs or sockets (such as scorch marks or flickering lights) and have any problems you find fixed by an electrician. l Replace worn, damaged or taped up leads and cables. 10
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Find out if your electrical products are on trading standards product recall list, a list of items which have been recalled by the manufacturers (you can get access to this list online via the LFB website). Always use a proper ironing board and turn off the iron after use. Make sure the iron is left to cool on a heat resistant surface away from curtains, carpets and anything else that may catch fire. Always switch off hair straighteners/curling tongs after use and leave to cool on a heat resistant surface away from curtains, carpets and anything else that can catch fire.
Electric blankets If your blanket has fraying fabric, scorch marks, exposed elements, creasing/folding, soiling, loose connections or any other type of damage, have it replaced. If the blanket has a BEAB safety mark it should also be replaced as this means it is over ten years old. l
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Electric blankets should carry the British Standard Kitemark (BSK) and the British Electrotechnical Approvals Board (BEAB) symbol on them. Don’t fold electric blankets. Protect the wiring inside them by storing them flat or rolled up. Don’t leave an electric blanket switched on all night, unless it is has controls for safe all night use. Check whether it is an under or over blanket and use it only for that purpose. Use the ties on an under-blanket to secure it to the mattress. This prevents slipping and creasing which could damage the elements. Have your electric blanket tested every three years – many councils run free testing days each year, usually at the end of summer. Get a new electric blanket at least every 10 years.
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fire safety Bedtime routine Around half of all deaths caused by fires in the home happen between 10pm and 8am. There are some simple checks you can carry out before you go to bed to protect yourself and your home from fire. l Switch off and unplug electrical equipment – only leave on appliances that are designed to be left on, like the fridge or your DVD recorder. l Check the cooker – make sure the grill, hobs and oven are all turned off. l Don’t leave the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher on. Their high speed of operation, friction and motors mean they can be a fire risk. l Turn heaters off and put a guard in front of an open fire. l Check candles - they can go on smouldering and start a fire. Double check that they are out and never leave one burning when you go to sleep. l Put cigarettes right out – make sure cigarettes and pipes are out, wetting them to be sure. Never smoke in bed. l Check your escape route - it should be clear of obstacles. Make sure the keys are where they are meant to be. l Close doors – this can slow down the spread of a fire. l Turn off your electric blanket - unless you are absolutely sure it can be left on safely, for example if it has a thermostat.
anti-social Behaviour Items left in communal areas can pose a fire risk. Please ensure that communal areas are kept clear at all times. If you have any concerns about anti-social behaviour and fire safety, please: l Call the Police on 101 l Call your Housing Manager on 0800 035 1991 l Outside of office hours call the ASB Team on 07960 031 760 (if they are not on patrol you can leave a message and they will call you back the next working day). l In the event of fire or any other emergency, always call 999. 12
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fire safety leashold properties Leasehold dwellings and rented-out properties If you are a leaseholder and rent out your property, you have landlord’s obligations in law to: l
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Ensure there are adequate escape routes in the property you are renting out. Make sure that all the gas appliances provided are maintained in good order and that a GAS SAFE engineer carries out a safety check each year. Maintain all electrical installations (fixed wiring etc) and any electrical appliances provided (cookers, kettles etc) and make sure they are safe to use. Make sure any furniture and furnishings provided meet the fire resistance regulations.
If you have any concerns, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Tower Hamlets Council for further advice. Leaseholder front doors in flats and maisonettes If you are a leaseholder and the front door of your property opens onto an enclosed escape route, you should ensure that the front door set provides thirty minutes’ fire resistance. This will allow other residents to evacuate safely in the event of a fire in your dwelling. It will also protect you if there is a fire in a neighbouring property. UPVC doors with decorative glazed panels will not generally meet the required standard of fire resistance.
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fire safety celeBrate safely In our diverse community, we enjoy a wide range of festivals and celebrations. The possibility of a fire is the last thing on our minds but many events including Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, Chinese New Year and Eid ulFitr, bring their own specific fire risks. Keep yourself and your guests safe by following these precautions: l
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It’s easy to forget safety when you’ve had a few drinks, so if celebrating with alcohol take extra care. Never cook when you have been drinking alcohol. If you are using decorative lights make sure they meet British Standards and are in good working order. Make sure decorative lights are turned off at night and when you go out. Make sure the plug for the decorative lights has the right size fuse (refer to the manufacturer’s instructions). Candles are often used during celebrations and festivals – never leave them burning unattended or close to curtains or other objects that could catch fire. Keep decorations, wrapping paper and greetings cards away from decorative lights, candles, fireplaces and heaters. If you are using fireworks, always follow the firework code. We do not permit the use of fireworks in Poplar HARCA homes including balconies. If you are having a party, or inviting guests to stay, make sure they know how to escape if a fire starts. Tell your guests where you keep door and window keys. If guests are smoking, ensure cigarettes are put out carefully in a proper ash tray. Preparing food is a major part of most festivals, but many fires start in the kitchen. Cooking should never be left unattended and extra care should be taken when preparing deep fried food.
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fire safety advice for parents of young children l l l
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Don’t leave children alone in a room where there is a fire risk. Never let them play near the oven and hob. Keep matches, lighters, candles and tea lights out of reach of children or in a locked cupboard. Put a childproof fireguard in front of an open fire or heater. Don’t let children play or leave toys near a fire or heater. Keep portable heaters in a safe place where they can’t be knocked over when they are being used or stored. Keep your fire escape route clear of toys and other obstructions.
Teach your children what to do if there is a fire Simple instructions can be easily remembered: l If you see smoke or fire, raise the alarm and tell a grown up immediately. l Get out of the building as soon as possible. Go to the house next door if you can and ask them to call 999. l If there is smoke in the room, crawl low along the floor. l Never hide in a cupboard or under the bed. Do all you can to raise the alarm and get out. l If the way out is blocked, go into a room with a window. Put blankets or towels at the bottom of the door to stop smoke getting in. If there is a phone in the room, dial 999. If there isn’t a phone, open the window and shout – help! l Don’t go back into the building, not even for pets.
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fire safety advice for the carers of older people Unfortunately the majority of fire deaths in the home involve older people. Many older people live alone and have reduced mobility, which makes it harder to escape from a fire. If you have elderly relatives or help care for older people: l Ensure that smoke alarms have been fitted. On request, the LFB can fit a smoke alarm with a flashing light for anyone who is hard of hearing. l Visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau or branch of Age UK to find out about local voluntary groups that can also help. l Make sure that the elderly person is familiar with the Poplar HARCA emergency plan.
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