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Fire Safety
Fire is an obvious serious risk, but that risk
can be reduced by:
- Detection - smoke detectors and alarms give
early warning of fire
- Preventing the spread - fire doors and
self-closing devices reduce the spread of flames and
smoke
- A safe escape route, a clearly marked,
unobstructed escape route with emergency lighting provides a safe,
quick escape from fire.
The Fire Brigade are offering free home fire
safety checks and free smoke alarms, please see the
Smoke Alarm page for more
information.
Within a house in multiple occupation your
landlord has a responsibility to provide adequate means of escape
in case of fire and to make sure that all fire precautions are
regularly tested and maintained by a suitably qualified person,
such as a NICEIC registered contractor. The landlord must make sure
that all residents and visitors are aware of what action to take in
a fire.
If there's a fire:
- Alert people by raising the alarm;
- Contain the fire by closing doors as you make
your escape
- Evacuate people, get out, stay out and call the
Fire Service immediately.
Cooking fat and chip pans cause many fires at
home. Fire blankets should be readily accessible in the kitchen
area and you should know how and when to use them. Do
you?
Gas, Electrics and Faulty Appliances
Landlords must ensure that all gas installations
and appliances are safety checked and maintained by a CORGI
(Council of Registered Gas Installers) registered gas engineer at
least once a year, and that copies of this report are available to
tenants. Are you safe?
- If you suspect a gas leak, contact British Gas
immediately.
Only buy second-hand gas appliances from a
reputable dealer with a certificate of safety check. Faulty gas
appliances can lead to carbon
monoxide poisoning which can kill if undetected! Carbon
monoxide has no colour, no smell and no taste, so it is difficult
to detect. Watch out for the danger signs such as:
- Discolouring around a gas fire or at the top of
a water heater;
- A yellow or orange flame on a gas fire or water
heater;
- A strange smell when the gas appliance is
on.
If you suspect that a faulty appliance may be
leading to carbon monoxide build-up, contact British Gas
immediately. You can buy
carbon
monoxide detectors from British Gas or from reputable DIY
stores.
All work to electrical installations and
appliances should be done by a competent person, ideally by a
NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation
Contracting) registered electrician.
Faulty or misused electrics can cause
fire or electrocution!
Electrical wires or extension leads must not
trail where they can be damaged, come into contact with water or be
a trip hazard.
Don't overload electrical
sockets.
Only buy second-hand electrical appliances from a
reputable dealer with a certificate of safety check. Take care with
heating appliances and with appliances where door interlocks are
appropriate, such as washing machines.
Thermostats for hot water supplies should
not exceed 54oC
(130oF) to avoid risk of
scalding.
Whether gas or electric, keep heating
appliances away from flammable materials!
Furniture and Furnishings
All furniture and furnishings, whether new or
second-hand, supplied in letting accommodation must comply with
fire safety standards.
The fire safety of any other furniture or
furnishings that you use yourself is obviously just as important.
Checking whether or not an armchair, for example, meets the
relevant standard is not easy but, if you are in any doubt, check
labels and be suspicious of old items. For further advice, contact
the Trading Standards Services on 0845
6037626.
Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs
Careless smoking is a very high source of
fire in the home - take care!
Alcohol and drugs can make us act less
responsibly and make it more likely that we have, or cause, an
accident - again take care!
For more information on general home safety
please visit our Home Safety
page. |